Shared backhaul link for multiple wireless systems

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are presented for effectively utilizing a Backhaul link shared by two or more wireless system Operators, such that data rates from multiple Core Network data sources to the shared Backhaul link, and data rates from multiple sets of Subscriber Stations to the shared Backhaul link, are controlled so that a combined downlink rate substantially does not exceed a predetermined Backhaul data rate, and a combined uplink rate substantially does not exceed a predetermined Backhaul data rate, thereby preventing an overloading of the shared Backhaul link. Further, communication rates of different data sets within the downstream and upstream, respectively, are dynamically altered to provide best overall service within the downstream and upstream, respectively, while not overloading the shared Backhaul link.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/536,103, filed Sep. 19, 2011.

BACKGROUND

In current wireless systems, Subscriber Stations are communicatively connected to Core Network data sources via a wireless Base Station (“BS”) and a Backhaul Link. In the current art, each Operator has its own network system, meaning that the Subscriber Stations belonging to that Operator will be communicatively connected with a wireless BS belonging to the same Operator, and such wireless BS will be connected via a Backhaul link with a Core Network data source belonging to that same Operator. The current system and method, which require use of separate network resources for each of two or more Operators, is inefficient and costly. What is needed is a structure and method by which Subscriber Station may share a Backhaul Link, and may also, in some embodiments, share a wireless BS.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment is a system with a single Backhaul link for two or more Operators, thereby effectively allowing the sharing of said Backhaul link by said multiple Operators. In one form of such system, there are a First Core Network data source and a Second Core Network data source, which are part of one network, and which has a shared Backhaul link that is connected communicatively to a wireless Base Station (“BS”). This wireless BS may belong to a first Operator, or to a second Operator, or to any other Operator that is communicating with its own Subscriber Stations, or to a totally different Operator or other entity that does not have its own Subscriber Stations communicating on the system. The wireless BS and the Core Network data sources communicate with each other, via the shared Backhaul link, data sets belonging, respectively, to each of the Operators. Each set of data, from a first Operator and a second Operator, respectively, is conveyed to, respectively, a first set and second set of Subscriber Stations, wherein the first set of Subscriber Stations is associated with the first Operator, and the second set of Subscriber Stations is associated with the second Operator. In one embodiment, the system is configured to control the rates at which the first and second sets of data are received by the respective sets of Subscriber Stations, such that the shared Backhaul link is not overloaded. In one embodiment, the system is configured to control the rates at which data are communicated from the first and second sets of Subscriber Stations to, respectively, the First Core Network data source and the Second Core Network data source, such that the Backhaul link is not overloaded.

One embodiment is a method for effectively utilizing a shared Backhaul link of a wireless Base Station (BS) servicing a plurality of Operators. In one particular form of such embodiment, the wireless BS receives, from a First and a Second Core Network data sources, belonging to a first and a second Operator, respectively, via a shared Backhaul link, and connected to the wireless BS, first and second sets of data. The wireless BS conveys wirelessly the first and second sets of data to, respectively, first and second sets of Subscriber Stations associated with, respectively, first and second Operators, at first and second wireless data rates, respectively. In one embodiment, the system controls the first wireless data rate such that the first and second sets of data, received via the shared Backhaul link together, substantially do not exceed a predetermined Backhaul data rate, such that the shared Backhaul link is not overloaded. In one embodiment, the system controls the data rates from the sets of Subscriber Stations to the Core Network data sources via the Backhaul link, such that the said data rates together substantially do not exceed a predetermined Subscriber Station data rate, such that the shared Backhaul link is not overloaded.

One embodiment is a method for effectively sharing a Backhaul link between at least two Random Access Networks, belonging to, respectively, different Operators. In one particular form of such embodiment, a first Random Access Network (RAN), belonging to a first Operator, receives a first Backhaul transmission intended for Subscriber Stations serviced by the first RAN, via a shared Backhaul link, wherein the shared Backhaul link transports the first Backhaul transmission together with at least a second Backhaul transmission intended for Subscriber Stations serviced by a second RAN. In one embodiment, the system controls the rate at which the first Backhaul transmission is received by the target Subscriber Stations, such that the first and second Backhaul transmissions via the shared Backhaul link together substantially do not exceed a predetermined Backhaul data rate, so that the shared Backhaul link is not overloaded. In one embodiment, the system controls the data rates from the sets of Subscriber Stations to the Core Network data sources via the Backhaul link, such that the said data rates together substantially do not exceed a predetermined Subscriber Station data rate, so that the shared Backhaul link is not overloaded.

One embodiment is a method for splitting dynamically resources of a shared Backhaul link between different Operators. In one particular form of such embodiment, a wireless Base Station (BS) services first and second sets of Subscriber Stations (SS) associated with first and second Operators, respectively, using first and second sets of data received via a shared Backhaul link from first and second Operators, respectively. In one embodiment, the system splits dynamically the resources of the shared Backhaul link, by controlling dynamically the rates at which the first and second sets of data are received by the first and second sets of Subscriber Stations, such that overloading of the shared Backhaul link is prevented. In one embodiment, the system splits dynamically the resources of the shared Backhaul link, by controlling dynamically the rates at which the first and second sets of Subscriber Stations convey data, via the shared Backhaul link, to First and Second Core Network data sources, respectively, such that overloading of the Shared Backhaul link is prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) communicating with multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs);

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) communicating with multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs), in which there is illustrated the allocation of spectrum to the RANs, components of wireless BS, and communication paths between the wireless BS and the Core Networks;

FIG. 1C illustrates one embodiment a possible allocation of wireless Access Spectrum to two Radio Access Networks (RANs);

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) communicating with multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs), in which two RANs are sharing one radio transceiver chain;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) communicating with multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs), in which each of two RANs has its own radio transceiver chain, and the RANs share other resources within the wireless BS;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband Processor included as part of a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) communicating with multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs), in which two RANs are sharing one radio transceiver chain;

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband Processor included as part of a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) communicating with multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs), in which each of two RANs has its own radio transceiver chain, and the RANs share other resources within the wireless BS;

FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment of the functioning of a Baseband Processor in a system comprising a wireless Base Station (BS) communicating with multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs), in which two RANs are sharing one radio transceiver chain;

FIG. 6B illustrates one embodiment of a possible allocation of wireless Access Spectrum to two Radio Access Networks (RANs), in which the allocation can be changed dynamically;

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) communicating with multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs), in which is also illustrated one possible configuration of a communication link from multiple Core Networks through a wireless Base Station to multiple RANs and then to multiple sets of wireless Subscriber Stations;

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for dynamically generating a plurality of Radio Access Networks (RAN) by a single wireless Station (BS);

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for servicing multiple Operators via a single wireless Base Station (BS) utilizing dynamic allocation of spectrum;

FIG. 10A illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system for assigning dynamically a plurality of transceiver chains among a varying number of wireless channels;

FIG. 10B illustrates one embodiment of a digital interface of a Baseband processor subsystem within a system for assigning dynamically a plurality of transceiver chains among a varying number of wireless channels;

FIG. 10C illustrates one embodiment of multiple signal paths in a Baseband processor subsystem within a system including two distinct radio channels;

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of multiple signal paths in Baseband processor subsystem within a system including one radio channel;

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband processor subsystem;

FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband processor subsystem including at least two Baseband processors;

FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband processor subsystem including at least two Baseband processors, in which a configurable digital interconnect subsystem connects with the Baseband processors;

FIG. 15A illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system for assigning dynamically a plurality of transceiver chains among a varying number of wireless channels, in which the system appears in a range-extension mode;

FIG. 15B illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system for assigning dynamically a plurality of transceiver chains among a varying number of wireless channels, in which the system appears in an enhanced-capacity mode;

FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of elements of a method for transitioning from a range extension mode to an enhanced capacity mode in a wireless Base Station;

FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system for direct communication between multiple Core Networks and a wireless Base Station (BS), and between the wireless BS and multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs);

FIG. 18A illustrates one embodiment of components of a system with the potential to dynamically allocate a pool of at least three radio transceiver chains between first and second RANs;

FIG. 18B illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband Processor which has allocated two signals to one wireless channel and two other signals to a second wireless channel;

FIG. 19A illustrates one embodiment of components of a system in which a pool of at least three radio transceiver chains has been dynamically reallocated between first and second RANs;

FIG. 19B illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband processor which has allocated three signals to one wireless channel and one other signals to a second wireless channel;

FIG. 20 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for dynamically generating a plurality of Radio Access Networks (RANs) by a single wireless Base Station (BS);

FIG. 21 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for servicing multiple Operators via a single wireless Base Station (BS) utilizing dynamic allocation of radio transceiver chains;

FIG. 22A illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system to allow wireless Subscriber Stations to roam on the wireless Base Station of a host Operator;

FIG. 22B illustrates an alternative one embodiment of components comprising a system to allow wireless Subscriber Stations to roam on the wireless Base Station of a host Operator;

FIG. 23 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for connecting a Subscriber Station (SS) with its own Operator, using a wireless Base Station (BS) belonging to a different Operator (the “host Operator”);

FIG. 24 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for partial roaming of a Subscriber Station on the infrastructure of a host Operator and the infrastructure of its own Operator;

FIG. 25A illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system by which Subscriber Stations associated with an Operator communicate with a Core Network data source of that Operator;

FIG. 25B illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system in which a Subscriber Station associated with a different Operator requests access to the Radio Access Network (RAN) of a host Operator;

FIG. 25C illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system in which the Subscriber Access that requested access to the RAN of a host Operator has been admitted to the RAN of the host Operator;

FIG. 26 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for partial roaming of a Subscriber Station on the infrastructure of a host Operator and on the infrastructure of an Operator with whom the Subscriber Station is associated;

FIG. 27A illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system in which multiple Operators use a shared Backhaul link;

FIG. 27B illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system in which multiple Operators use a shared Backhaul link, showing the communication paths of multiple sets of data;

FIG. 28 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for a plurality of Operators sharing a Backhaul link, in which data rates between Core Network data sources and sets of Subscriber Stations are controlled such that the shared Backhaul link is not overloaded;

FIG. 29 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system in which multiple Operators use a shared Backhaul link, and in which each of multiple Random Access Networks services a set of Subscriber Stations associated with a particular Operator;

FIG. 30 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system in which multiple Operators use a shared Backhaul link, in which each of multiple Random Access Networks services a set of Subscriber Stations associated with a particular Operator, and in which each set of Subscriber Stations is communicatively connected the shared Backhaul link via a dedicated data link;

FIG. 31 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system in which multiple Operators use a shared Backhaul link, in which each of multiple Random Access Networks services a set of Subscriber Stations associated with a particular Operator, and in which a single wireless Base Station generates two or more of the Random Access Networks;

FIG. 32 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for sharing a Backhaul link among a plurality of Random Access Networks, in which data rates between Core Network data sources and sets of Subscriber Stations are controlled such that the shared Backhaul link is not overloaded; and

FIG. 33 illustrates one embodiment of the elements of a method for splitting dynamically resources of a Backhaul link shared by a plurality of Operators, such that the combined data rate of multiple downlink paths do not overload the shared Backhaul link, and/or such that the combined data rate of multiple uplink paths do not overload the shared Backhaul link.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A number of terms are used in the presentation of embodiments, among which are the following:

An “Analog-Digital Interface”, also called a “Two-Way Analog-Digital Interface”, is a converter between two components of a system that converts analog signals to digital signals, or digital signals to analog signals, depending on the need. One example of an Analog-Digital Interface is an interface between a Baseband subsystem and radio transceiver chain. Each of the components listed may have additional sub-components, some of which are listed in the embodiments described herein. Different configurations of the components are described in some of the embodiments. Different communication paths and processes between components are described in some of the embodiments. The components, sub-components, configurations, and communication paths and processes, presented herein, are intended to present only some of the embodiments, and are illustrative only.

“Associated with” describes the relationship between a Subscriber Station and an Operator. The Subscriber Station is owned by a consumer or other third party customer. This consumer or customer subscribes to a particular Operator to receive wireless service. The Subscriber Station is said to be “associated with” the Operator to whom the consumer or customer has subscribed for this particular Subscriber Station. The Subscriber Station is not owned by the Operator, and so it is not stated, indeed it would be incorrect to state, that the Subscriber Station is “owned by” the Operator. The term used herein is “associated with”.

A “wireless Base Station”, or “Base Station”, is a collection of hardware and software that communicates to Subscriber Stations over the RAN, using any of a variety of standardized or proprietary protocols, in TDD or FDD mode, and on one or more channels of wireless Access Spectrum. If a Base Station can operate on multiple radio channels of spectrum that are considered to be relatively closely separated from each other (or even adjacent to one another), the Base Station is referred to as a “multi-carrier Base Station”. If a multi-carrier Base Station can operate on widely separated frequencies then it may additionally be referred to as a “multi-band Base Station”. A “multi-mode Base Station” is a Base Station that supports multiple wireless protocols. Non-limiting examples of such wireless protocols include LTE and WiFi. The wireless Base Station generates the RAN.

By industry convention, and also herein, “Base Station” includes not just the hardware processing device in which radio processing and baseband processing occurs, but also the radio transceiver chain connected to such hardware processing device, and the antennas in physical connection with the radio transceiver chain. In some embodiments, each such hardware processing device is connected to one radio transceiver chain, and each radio transceiver chain is connected to one antenna. However, it is possible to have multiple antennas connected to one radio transceiver chain. It is also possible to have one antenna in connection with multiple radio transceiver chains, in which case there would be a power combiner that combines the signals from the radio transceiver chains into the one antenna. It is also possible to split one radio transceiver chain to multiple hardware processing devices, so that the multiple hardware devices feed signals to the radio transceiver chain. It is also possible to have one hardware processing device connected to multiple radio transceiver chains. All of the possible configurations discussed herein come within the term “Base Station”.

A “Baseband Processor” (BP) is a device, typically a chip or a part of a chip in a Base Station, that manages and performs signal processing and radio control functions. Modulation and demodulation of communication signals are typically performed by a BP. A BP is a component of a wireless Base Station, and also typically appears in advanced consumer wireless equipment, although the configuration of the BP device will vary depending on many factors, including, among others, whether it will function in the wireless BS or in the consumer wireless device.

A “Core Network” is a part of a mobile communication network that provides various services to Subscriber Stations who are connected to the Core Network via a RAN. An Operator's Core Network is the aggregation point of data to and from multiple Base Stations, and typically includes equipment and software for subscriber authentication, monitoring, metering, billing, control, and overall administration of the network. A Base Station communicates to the Core Network over the Base Station's “backhaul interface”, which may be either wired or wireless.

A “downlink communication” or “downlink path” is communication from a network to remote stations. One example is communication from Core Network data sources to Subscriber Stations. Conversely, “uplink communication” or “uplink path” is communication from remote stations to a network. One example is communication from Subscriber Stations to Core Network data sources.

A “Gateway device” is a device through which passes all traffic to and from a set of Base Stations. Most Operators organize their networks with one or more Gateway devices, although strictly speaking, this is not essential. Communication between a Base Station and a Gateway is generally governed by a standard or proprietary protocol, and will usually vary to some degree among Operators, even when all the Operators are using a technical standards-based approach. This protocol, whether standard for multiple Operators or proprietary to one Operator, is almost always carried “in-band”. “In-band” means that the communication protocol between a Base Station and a Gateway is logically multiplexed with the data itself on the Base Station's backhaul interface.

Some Base Stations also communicate directly with one another, rather than through a Gateway. One typical reason for such communication is to exchange time-sensitive information related to inter-Base Station subscriber handover operations. Another typical reason for such communication is to help implement or improve load-balancing between Base Stations. Inter-Base Station communication, for whatever reason it is implemented, is typically governed by standard or proprietary protocols, and such protocols, even if standard, will usually vary among Operators and even among manufacturers of infrastructure equipment.

A “network Tunnel” or “Tunnel” is a network communications channel between two networks. It is used to transport another network protocol by encapsulation of the protocol packets. Tunnels are often used for connecting two disjoint networks that lack a native routing path to each other, via an underlying routable protocol across an intermediate transport network. In IP tunneling, every IP packet, including addressing information of its source and destination IP networks, is encapsulated within another packet format native to the transit network. At the borders between the source network and the transit network, as well as the transit network and the destination network, Gateways are used that establish the end-points of the IP tunnel across the transit network. IP Tunnels are logical, rather than physical, interfaces. Examples of network Tunnels are IP Tunnels and Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE).

An “Operator” is a company or other entity that provides wireless services to subscribers. An Operator may operate regionally, nation-wide, or even globally. An Operator may utilize either Licensed or Unlicensed spectrum, or a combination of both. Each portion of an Operator's spectrum may be deployed as half-duplex, time division duplex (TDD), full-duplex, or frequency division duplex (FDD). An Operator's spectral allocation may be uniform across its service area, or may vary from region to region. If multiple Operators function in different and non-overlapping geographic regions, the same frequency range may be allocated to different Operators in different regions.

A “host Operator” is an Operator which has been requested to allow access to a Subscriber Station not associated with that Operator. The host Operator allows the Subscriber Station to access the host Operator's RAN, and the host Operator then provides either roaming or partial roaming services to the Subscriber Station. The phrase “first Operator” also means the “host Operator”, where “first Operator” contrasts with “second Operator” and/or “other Operator”, neither of which is the “host Operator”.

An operator with whom a Subscriber Station is associated is also called the Subscriber Station's “own Operator”.

A “Radio Access Network” (RAN) is a part of a mobile communication system that implements radio access technology. In a wireless communication system, the RAN sits between the Subscriber Station and the Core Network. The RAN is generated by the wireless BS.

“Roaming” is a situation where a Subscriber Station associated with a particular Operator, encounters a wireless network belonging to a different Operator, where frequency encountered by the Subscriber Station is supported by the different Operator, and the Subscriber Station receives service from that different Operator.

“Partial Roaming”, as used herein, is roaming, except that a Subscriber Station makes connection with the wireless BS of a host Operator, as in ordinary roaming, but unlike ordinary roaming, connections for this Subscriber Station do not travel over the network infrastructure of the host Operator, but only on the network infrastructure of the Subscriber Station's own Operator, and the Subscriber station does not have data communication with the data source of the first Operator, but has data communication only with the data source of the second Operator. In this way, the Subscriber Station, which is associated with the second Operator, uses wireless spectrum resources of the first Operator, but does not use network resources of the first Operator during the course of data communication between a data source and the Subscriber Station.

A “roaming Subscriber Station”, or “roaming SS”, is a Subscriber Station that is in communicative connection with a wireless Base Station (BS) of a host Operator, which is an Operator with whom the roaming Subscriber Station is not associated. This may be ordinary roaming, in which the SS is connected via the BS on a network infrastructure of the host Operator to a data source of the host Operator, or partial roaming, in which the SS is connected via the BS on a network infrastructure of another Operator (the SS's own Operator) to the Core Network data source of the other Operator.

“Subscriber Stations” are wireless communication devices used by customers of an Operator. Such Subscriber Stations are typically, but not necessarily and not always, locked to all or a subset of the radio frequencies licensed to that Operator. Some possible non-limiting categories of Subscriber Stations include handsets, dongles, customer premises equipment (CPE) for wireless communication, and hot spot equipment for wireless communication. Non-limiting examples of handsets include cellular telephones of all kinds, PDAs, wireless data devices, pages, and other consumer radio equipment.

“Wireless Access Spectrum” is the radio spectrum on which a RAN operates, and hence the radio spectrum is utilized by both Subscriber Stations to access the wireless Base Station and the wireless Base Station to communicate with Subscriber Stations.

There is a need for a practical way by which various Operators may collaborate and share infrastructure equipment and other resources. The sharing of resources by multiple Operators can be advantageous to all parties. Devices, systems, and methods are presented herein for a wireless Base Station (BS) capable of substantially simultaneously providing service to subscribers of multiple Operators. Depending upon the particular deployment requirements or equipment capabilities, each Operator may be operating on the same or different frequencies. If frequencies are different, they may be adjacent, closely separated, or widely separated. The wireless BS will distinguish and logically separate and route the traffic between each Subscriber Station and the Core Network providing service to that Subscriber Station. The wireless BS may support different logical or different physical interfaces between the wireless BS and each Operator.

Where limited wireless or processing resources are shared among the Operators, load balancing techniques and methods may be deployed to govern the allocation of these resources. Non-limiting examples of shared resources include Subscriber Stations of multiple Operators sharing the same frequency, Operators sharing one or more radio chains, shared antennas, shared transmit power, shared backhaul, and one or more processors which process communication for multiple Operators. For these and other cases of shared resource utilization, load balancing techniques and methods may apply within a single Base Station, or among a group of Base Stations on a network. Such load balancing techniques and methods may be distributed, or controlled centrally, or have dynamically shifting control as the needs change. Considerations in the selection and deployment of load balancing techniques may be technical or financial or both. Such considerations may affect the load balancing algorithms and decisions. As an example of a consideration that is both technical and financial, one Operator may be heavily loaded at a particular time while another Operator may be lightly loaded at the same time. By agreement between the Operators, the heavily loaded Operator may off-load capacity by utilizing resources normally allocated to the lightly loaded Operator. An agreement like this would typically include financial compensation from the heavily loaded Operator to the lightly loaded Operator, and such compensation may be cost per usage, fixed cost per period or by event, variable cost depending on such factors as time and relative loading, or on any other basis agreed upon by the Operators.

Many possible embodiments of a multi-Operator BS may be imagined. A very few non-limiting examples include the following:

(1) According to one multi-Operator BS scenario, at least Subscriber Devices of one Operator in the geographic region of interest may not have the capability to roam onto another Operator's licensed spectrum. This could be because such Subscriber Devices of a first Operator do not contain the appropriate frequency support to function on the frequency of the second Operator, or because such Subscriber Devices are locked onto the first Operator's network, or because such Subscriber Devices are locked out of the other Operator's network.

In one embodiment, this problem may be handled by either a multi-carrier or multi-band Base Station, with one or more distinct carriers allocated to each Operator. The relative amounts of spectrum allocated among the Operators could impact the allocation of carriers among the Operators. In this embodiment, the Base Station may support multiple logical core-network interfaces, one for each Operator, and the interfaces may be either standardized or customized for each different Operator. Communication may be multiplexed onto the same physical backhaul interface, with each message or even each packet labeled with unique routing information to connect the message or packet to its corresponding core network gateway. However, and alternatively, each logical interface may utilize different physical interfaces.

In this embodiment, load balancing of shared Base Station resources between Operators may apply to any or all of antennas, transmit power, backhaul resources, and processing power.

(2) According to a second multi-Operator BS scenario, at least some subscriber devices of a first Operator in the geographic region of interest do have the capability to roam onto another Operator's licensed spectrum.

For this case, in one embodiment such roaming may be handled by either a multi-carrier or a multi-band Base Station, depending at least in part upon the specific spectrum allocations to the Operators. A Subscriber Station may, by default, connect to its own Operator's spectrum, in which case communication will be effected as explained in scenario (1) above. However, in the event that the Operator's network is heavily loaded, prior art architecture does not allow the Base Station to direct the subscriber to a more lightly loaded Operator's spectrum. In one embodiment, instead of the typical prior art roaming situation, by which a local Operator's network handles the session and later bills the subscriber's Operator per pre-agreement, the Base Station will support multiple logical Core Network interfaces, one such interface for each Operator, and the traffic from the redirected subscriber will be routed to its own Operator's core interface. (Such interface may be logical or physical, or dynamically shifting between logical and physical.) The Base Station, in combination with relevant Core Network elements, can keep track of this shared usage so that the proper financial compensation may be made between Operators.

In this embodiment, load balancing of shared Base Station resources between Operators may apply to spectrum, antennas, transmit power, backhaul resources, processing power, or any of the other elements previously identified as possible shared resources.

(3) According to a third multi-Operator BS scenario, the Base Station and at least some Subscriber Stations in a geographic region of interest, support one or more ranges of unlicensed spectrum or protocols. Various non-limiting examples of an unlicensed protocol are Bluetooth, WiFi, and WiMAX, but there are many such examples of technologies. Often, but not exclusively, such technologies may operate at relatively low power, or may operate in one of the non-licensed bands such as 915 MHz, 2.45 Gz, or 5.8 GHz. This third scenario can occur in combination with either scenario (1) or scenario (2), above.

In one embodiment of a scenario with unlicensed spectrum or protocols, usage on unlicensed spectrum is handled by either a multi-carrier Base Station or multi-band Base Station (depending upon the specific spectrum allocations of the Operators). If multiple protocols are involved, in which a second Operator employs a protocol not used by a first Operator, a multi-mode Base Station may support the different protocols.

In this third scenario of unlicensed spectrum or protocols, licensed operation is handled as in the case of either scenarios (1) or (2) above. At the same time, unlicensed spectrum may be budgeted or simply shared among the participating Operators, or the unlicensed spectrum may be used as a resource that is allocated and charged for by the owner of the Base Station. The owner of the Base Station may be one of the Operators, or may be a separate party. In any event, traffic allocated to unlicensed spectrum supported by a Base Station will again be routed to and from the Operator's Core Network. Such routing may be logical or physical or dynamically changing between logical and physical.

The general architecture for some of the embodiments described herein call for a number of components, including: (1) Subscriber Stations, (2) RANs, (3) antenna and radio chains, the latter including power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, and one or more transceivers. Each radio chain may operate on the same channel (single-carrier capability), different but closely separated channels (multi-carrier capability), or widely separated channels (multi-band capability), (4) a Baseband subsystem, (5) a network processor that may implement, among other things, an array of logical core network interfaces, each of which multiplex into one or more physical backhaul interfaces, (6) backhaul links, and (7) core Networks.

Each of the components listed may have additional sub-components, some of which are listed in the embodiments described herein. Different configurations of the components are described in some of the embodiments. Different communication paths and processes between components are described in some of the embodiments. The components, sub-components, configurations, and communication paths and processes, presented herein, are intended to present only some of the embodiments, and are illustrative only.

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of components in a system. In FIG. 1A, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) 100, which is connected by one or more Backhaul links 105 to an IP Network 101. Said IP Network includes two or more sources of data. Here, the sources are data that come from a first Core Network, First Core Network data source 102 a, and from a second Core Network, Second Core Network data source 102 b. The wireless BS 100 also generates two or more Random Access Networks (RANs), here First RAN 109 a and Second RAN 109 b. Each RAN network communicates with one or more Subscriber Stations. In FIG. 1A, Subscriber Stations 108 are communicatively connected to First RAN 109 a.

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of components in a system. The wireless BS 100 includes at least two major components, which are one or more Network processors 201 that communicate with IP Network 101 via the physical Backhaul links 105. The Backhaul links 105 are physical links, which may be microwave, cable, or any other communication medium. Backhaul links 105 provide a path for the logical links, which are the network Tunnels connecting Core Network data sources with the Network processors 102. In FIG. 1B, First network Tunnel 105 a communicatively connects First Core Network data source 102 a with Network processors 201, and Second Core Network data source 102 b with Network processors 201. The Network processors 201 are also communicatively connected with Baseband processor/s 202, which generate using one or more radio chains, and one or more radio antennas, the RANs, here First RAN 109 a and Second RAN 109 b. In the initial setup of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, a First amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a has been allocated to First RAN 109 a, and a Second amount of wireless Access Spectrum has been allocated to Second RAN 109 b.

FIG. 1C illustrates one embodiment a possible allocation of wireless Access

Spectrum to two Radio Access Networks (RANs). A certain amount of wireless Access Spectrum has been pre-allocated 211 to a wireless BS and to an associated plurality of two or more RANs. Further, all or part of the pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211 may be dynamically allocated as a First amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a to a First RAN 109 a or as a Second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b to a Second RAN 109 b. In FIG. 1C, not all of 211 has been allocated to 211 a or 211 b. Rather, there is a small amount of frequency between 211 a and 211 b that has not been allocated, possibly as a guard frequency against inter-Operator interference. Similarly, there is a small amount of frequency on the left of 211 a, in a frequency lower than the lowest boundary of the 211 a range, that has not been allocated, and this, too, might be a guard frequency. In addition, there is a greater amount of frequency at a higher range than 211 b, still within 211 but to the right of 211 b, that has not been allocated, and this may be partially a guard frequency, possibly a reserve, possibly allocated to a different Operator or a different purpose. The main point is that the total frequency in 211 a and 211 b combined may equal, or maybe less than, but may not exceed, the pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211. Further, the allocation of 211 between 211 a and 211 b may be done at the same time as the allocation of 211, or may be done after the allocation of 211, but in all cases, no frequency is allocated among Operators until there has been or is simultaneously a pool of pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 generating multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs) 109 a & 109 b, in which the two RANs 109 a & 109 b are sharing one radio transceiver chain 232. In FIG. 2, there is a single radio transceiver chain 232 utilized by the Baseband processors 202 to generate the RANs 109 a and 109 b. As described previously, a First amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a has been allocated to First RAN 109 a, and a Second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b has been allocated to Second RAN 109 b. Since both 109 a and 109 b communicate with wireless BS 100 through the same radio transceiver chain 232, the coverage areas of 109 a and 109 b will be either the same or very similar.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 communicating with multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs) 109 a & 109 b, in which each of two RANs 109 a & 109 b has its own radio transceiver chain 233 a & 233 b, and the RANs 109 a & 109 b share other resources within the wireless BS 100. FIG. 3 has the same components has does FIG. 2, except FIG. 3 does not have a single radio transceiver chain 232. Rather, FIG. 3 has two transceiver chains, which are First radio transceiver chain 233 a that is utilized by Baseband processor/s 202 to generate First RAN 109 a using the First amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a, and Second radio transceiver chain 233 b that is utilized by Base Band processor/s 202 to generate Second RAN 109 b using the Second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b. As shown in FIG. 3, since each RAN has its own radio transceiver chains, the RAN coverage areas are essentially independent. The coverage areas might not overlap at all, might overlap slightly as is shown in FIG. 3, or might overlap substantially as is shown in FIG. 2.

In one embodiment, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 system to directly communicate with Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b, on one side, and to directly provide multiple corresponding Radio Access Networks (RANs) 109 a & 109 b on the other side. This system may include a network processor 201 operative to maintain at least two network Tunnels 105 a & 105 b extending directly to at least two corresponding Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b, one or more Baseband processors 202 operative to create at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b substantially simultaneously, and one or more radio transceiver chains 232, 233 a and 233 b, operative to accommodate the one or more Baseband processors 202 in creating the at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b substantially simultaneously. In one configuration of the embodiment, the system may be configured to split dynamically a pool of pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211 between the at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b according to one or more criteria, reconfigure the at least one Baseband Processor 202 to maintain the at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b according to the split of spectrum between the two RANs 109 a & 109 b, and operate the at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b using data communicated with the corresponding at least two Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b via the corresponding at least two network Tunnels 105 a & 105 b.

In an alternative embodiment of the embodiment just described, at least one of the criteria used to split dynamically a pool of pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211 between at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b, is based on dynamic data rate requirements of at least one of the Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b.

In another alternative embodiment of the embodiment described above, at least one of the criteria used to split dynamically a pool of pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211 between at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b, is based on measuring data rates over at least one of the RANs 109 a & 109 b.

In another alternative embodiment of the embodiment just described, at least one of the criteria used to split dynamically a pool of pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211 between at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b, is based on measuring data rates over at least one of the network Tunnels 105 a & 105 b.

In another alternative embodiment of the embodiment just described, the dynamic split of pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum creates at least two amounts of wireless Access Spectrum, and each amount of wireless Access Spectrum after the split is allocated to one of the at least two RANs.

In one possible configuration of the alternative embodiment in which each amount of wireless Access Spectrum after the split is allocated to one of the at least two RANs, at least one of the amounts of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a & 211 b allocated to the RANs 109 a & 109 b, is smaller than the other amount of allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211 a & 211 b. In other words, either 211 a is greater than 211 b, or 211 b is greater than 211 a, but in this embodiment 211 a is not equal to 211 b.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband processor 202 in a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 generating multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs) 109 a & 109 b, in which two RANs 109 a & 109 b are sharing one radio transceiver chain 232. In this embodiment, the Baseband processor 202 may be reconfigured by programming. In one possible embodiment, reconfiguration by programming is implemented by two software changes, termed in FIG. 4, “First software instance 401 a” and “Second software instance 401 b”. In 401 a, the software instance is associated with First RAN 109 a, and 401 a creates Baseband signal 440 a, having a bandwidth that is dynamically related to the amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a allocated to First RAN 109 a. Correspondingly, in 401 b the software instance is associated with Second RAN 109 b, and 401 b creates Baseband signal 440 b, having a bandwidth that is dynamically related to the amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b allocated to First RAN 109 b. In FIG. 4, the relative bandwidth between 109 a and 109 b are intimately related, since the total amount of bandwidth allocated to two RANs 109 a & 109 b cannot exceed the initial allocation 211. Similarly, the relative bandwidths of the Baseband signals 440 a & 440 b are intimately related, since the two bandwidths together cannot exceed the allocation 211.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband processor 202 in a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 generating multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs) 109 a & 109 b, in which each of two RANs 109 a & 109 b has its own radio transceiver chain, 233 a for First RAN 109 a and 233 b for Second RAN 109 b. In this embodiment, First software instance 401 a creates Baseband signal 440 a, which the Baseband processor 202 communicates to the First radio transceiver chain 233 a, which communicates Baseband signal 440 a over allocated frequency 211 a to First RAN 109 a. Also in this embodiment, Second software instance 401 b creates Baseband signal 440 b, which the Baseband processor 202 communicates to the Second radio transceiver chain 233 b, which communicates Baseband signal 440 b over allocated frequency 211 b to Second RAN 109 b.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate one embodiment of a Baseband processor 202 in a system of a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 generating multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs) 109 a & 109 b, in which two RANs 109 a & 109 b are sharing one radio transceiver chain 232. In this embodiment, the Baseband processor 202 may be reconfigured by programming. In one possible embodiment, reconfiguration by programming is implemented by a Dynamic signal synthesizer 501 dynamically synthesizing a single compound signal 550 on Baseband processor 202. The single compound signal 550 has at least two frequency portions 550 a & 550 b, in which each frequency portion is associated with one of the RANs 109 a & 109 b, and each of the frequency portions 550 a & 550 b is dynamically related to the amount of wireless Access Spectrum allocated 211 a & 211 b to the RANs 109 a & 109 b. As an example, 501 creates compound signal 550 which includes a frequency portion 550 a associated with First RAN 109 a and dynamically related to First amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a, and which also includes frequency portion 550 b associated with Second RAN 109 b and dynamically related to Second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b. In this sample embodiment, the dynamic signal synthesizer 501 fills the role formerly filled by First software instance 401 a and Second software instance 401 b in FIG. 4. Since FIG. 6A, like FIG. 4, has only one radio transceiver chain 232, the coverage areas of 109 a and 109 b overlap substantially.

In one embodiment, a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 system directly communicates with Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b, on one side, and directly provides multiple corresponding Radio Access Networks (RANs) 109 a & 109 b on the other side, in which different amounts of wireless Access Spectrum have been allocated to RANs 109 a & 109 b, the following additional elements may appear. (1) The at least one Baseband processor 202 is programmable to an alternative configuration. (2) The Baseband processor 202 is reconfigured by at least two software instances 401 a & 401 b on Baseband processor 202, each software instance associated with at least one of the RANs 109 a & 109 b, and each software instance 401 a & 401 b creates a Baseband signal 440 a & 440 b that has a bandwidth dynamically related to the amount of wireless Access

Spectrum allocated to the RAN by the dynamic split of wireless Access Spectrum. For example, 401 a creates 440 a that is dynamically related to 211 a, and 401 b creates 440 b that is dynamically related to 211 b. In one alternative embodiment of this embodiment, there is only one radio transceiver chain 232, and the Baseband signals 440 a & 440 b of the least two software instances 401 a & 401 b are fed to this one chain 232, thereby generating the at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b, each RAN driven by one of the corresponding Baseband signals 109 a by 401 a and 109 b by 401 b. In a different alternative embodiment of the embodiment described above, there are two radio transceiver chains 233 a & 233 b rather than the one chain 232, so 401 a creates 440 a that is fed to transceiver chain 233 a which then generates First RAN 109 a, and 401 b creates 440 b that is fed to transceiver chain 233 b which then generates Second RAN 109 b.

In one embodiment a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 system directly communicates with Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b, on one side, and directly provides multiple corresponding Radio Access Networks (RANs) 109 a & 109 b on the other side, in which different amounts of wireless Access Spectrum have been allocated to RANs 109 a & 109 b, the following additional elements may appear. (1) The at least one Baseband processor 202 is programmable to an alternative configuration. (2) The Baseband processor 202 is reconfigured by a dynamic signal synthesizer 501 dynamically synthesizing a single compound signal 550 on the at least one Baseband processor 202, the compound signal 550 having at least two frequency portions 550 a & 550 b, each of the two frequency portions 550 a & 550 b associated with one of the at least two RANs 109 a & 109B, and each of the frequency portions 550 a & 550 b is dynamically related to the amount of wireless Access Spectrum 550 a & 550 b allocated for each of the RANs 109 a & 109 b by the frequency split.

In an alternative embodiment of the embodiment described immediately above, there is a single radio transceiver chain 232, and the single compound signal 550 is fed to the single radio transceiver chain 232, thereby generating the at least two RANs 109 a & 109 b, in which each is driven by one of the two frequency portions 550 a & 550 b. In one possible configuration of this alternative embodiment of the embodiment described immediately above, each of the two RANs is either WiMAX or LTE, the single compound signal 550 is an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) signal, and the two frequency portions 550 a & 550 b comprises at least one unique sub-channel of the OFDMA signal.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system communicating between Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b and wireless Subscriber Stations 108 a & 108 b, in which a first data set is communicated 300 a from First Core Network data source 102 a via the logical link network Tunnel 105 a to wireless Base Station 100, then to Network processor 201, Baseband processor 202, and First radio transceiver chain 233 a, after which the first data set is conveyed 301 a by the wireless BS 10 to the First RAN 109 a, and finally to a first set of wireless Subscriber Stations 108 a. Also in this embodiment, a second data set is communicated 300 b from Second Core Network data source 102 b via the logical link network Tunnel 105 b to wireless Base Station 100, then to Network processor 201, Baseband processor 202, and Second radio transceiver chain 233 b, after which the second data set is conveyed 301 b by the wireless BS 10 to the Second RAN 109 a, and finally to a second set of wireless Subscriber Stations 108 b. FIG. 7 illustrates the communication path for both data sets between each Core Network and its corresponding set of wireless Subscriber Stations. Of course, data traffic travels in both direction, from Core Networks through various stages to wireless Subscriber Stations, and from wireless Subscriber Stations through various stages to Core Networks.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for dynamically generating a plurality of Radio Access Networks (RAN) 109 a & 109 b by a single wireless Base Station (BS) 100. In step 1021, determining dynamically first and second amounts of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a & 211 b needed by a wireless BS 100 to wirelessly convey data from a first and a second corresponding Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b. In step 1022, allocating the first and the second amounts of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a & 211 b, out of a pool of pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211 belonging to the wireless BS 100, to a first RAN 109 a and a second RAN 109 b, respectively, of the wireless BS respectively. In step 1023, the wireless BS 100 communicating first and second data sets 300 a & 300 b, with the first and the second Core Network data sources 102A & 102 b, respectively. In step 1024, the wireless BS 100 conveying the first and second data sets 301 a & 301 b, over the first and second RANs 109 a & 109 b, respectively, to first and second sets of wireless Subscriber Stations (SS) 108 a & 108 b, respectively.

In a first possible implementation of the method just described, further determining from time to time the first and the second amounts of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a & 211 b needed by the wireless BS 100 to wirelessly convey 301 a & 301 b the first and second data sets, and allocating from time to time the first and the second amounts of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a & 211 b.

In this first possible implementation of the method just described, one further possible implementation is that the first and second amounts of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a & 211 b are determined, at least in part, from first and second data rates associated with communicating the data sets 300 a & 300 b. In this further possible implementation of the possible implementation of the method just described, the first and second data rates associated with communicating the data sets 300 a & 300 b may be measured, or such data rates may be determined by querying the first and second Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b, or it is possible to both measure the data rates and also query the Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b.

In this first possible implementation of the method described above for dynamically generating a plurality of RANs 109 a & 109 b by a single wireless BS 100, a second further possible implementation is that at some point in time most of the pool of pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211 is allocated as the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a to the First RAN 109 a. In this same second further possible implementation, in an additional embodiment, at some point in time most of the pool of pre-allocated wireless Access Spectrum 211 is allocated as the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b to the Second RAN 109 b.

In a second possible implementation of the method described above, further communicating the first and second data sets 300 a & 300 b with the first and second Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b, using at least one Backhaul link 105.

In this second possible implementation of the method described above, one further possible implementation is that at least one Backhaul link 105 comprises a first network Tunnel 105 a, connecting the first Core Network data source 102 a with the wireless BS 100, and connecting the second Core Network data source 102 b with the wireless BS 100.

In this same further possible implementation to the second possible implementation of the method described above, an additional embodiment would include the following additional elements. (1) The wireless BS 100 is an integrated Pico-Base Station. (2) The network Tunnels 105 a & 105 b are directly connected to the first and second Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b, respectively. (3) The Pico-Base Station substantially does not require a dedicated infrastructure to facilitate connectivity with the Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b other than the at least one Backhaul link 105 and an IP Network 101 comprising the Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b.

In this second possible implementation of the method described above, a second further possible implementation is that the first data set is communicated 300 a over a first Backhaul link, and a second data set is communicated over a second Backhaul link. Element 105 shows a single Backhaul link, but in this further possible implementation, there are two Backhaul links, although that is not illustrated in the Figures.

In a third possible implementation of the method described above, the First Core Network data source 102 a belongs to a first Operator, the Second Core Network data source 102 b belongs to a second Operator, the First RAN 109 a is associated with an identity of the first Operator, and the Second RAN 109 b is associated with an identity of the second Operator. The phrase “associated with” in this sense means that the name of the network is broadcast within the RAN transmissions. Hence, a First RAN 109 a associated with the identity of the first Operator will broadcast, together with the RAN 109 a transmissions, the name of the first network or the other identity of the first network chosen by the first Operator. Similarly, a Second RAN 109 b associated with the identity of the second Operator will broadcast, together with the RAN 109 b transmissions, the name of the second network or the other identity of the second network chosen by the second Operator.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for servicing multiple cellular Operators via a single wireless Base Station (BS) 100, utilizing dynamic allocation of spectrum. In step 1031, a wireless BS 100 communicating first 300 a and a second 300 b data sets with a First Core Network data source 102 a belonging to a first cellular Operator and with a Second Core Network data source 102 b belonging to a second cellular Operator respectively, over first and second network Tunnels 105 a & 105 b, respectively. In step 1032, the wireless BS 100 utilizing first and second amounts of wireless Access spectrum 211 a & 211 b, respectively, to convey the first 301 a and second 301 b data sets over first 109 a and second 109 b RANs, respectively, to first and second sets of wireless Subscriber Stations (SS) 108 a & 108 b, respectively. In step 1033, determining that the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a is not sufficient to convey 300 a the first data set. In step 1034, increasing the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a at the expense of the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b, thereby making the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a better suited to convey 301 a the first data set.

In a first possible implementation of the method just described, increasing the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a at the expense of the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b further comprises determining a third amount of wireless Access Spectrum that can be reduced from the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b without substantially impairing the ability of the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b to convey 301 b the second data set, reducing the third amount of Wireless Access Spectrum from the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b, and adding the third amount of wireless Access Spectrum to the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a.

In a second possible implementation of the method described above, increasing the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a at the expense of the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b further comprises determining a third amount of wireless Access Spectrum to be reduced from the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b and to be added to the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a, such that the third amount of wireless Access Spectrum is operative to substantially equate the ability of the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a to convey 301 a the first data set with the ability of the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b to convey 301 b the second data set, reducing the third amount of Wireless Access spectrum from the second amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 b, and adding the third amount of wireless Access Spectrum to the first amount of wireless Access Spectrum 211 a.

It is noted that: (1) In some embodiments, there is a fully-integrated Base Station with an ability to handle multiple bands. (2) In some embodiments, there is an array of assignable Core Network interfaces which allow multiple Operators to share the same

Base Station equipment and the same physical backhaul interface. (3) In some embodiments, there is load balancing between Operators to share one or more of wireless Access Spectrum, radio antennas, available radio transmit power, backhaul, and Baseband processing power. (4) In some embodiments, both licensed and unlicensed frequencies are supported in a fully-integrated Base Stations. (5) In some embodiments, there is dynamic reallocation of wireless Access Spectrum from a relatively lightly loaded Operator to a relatively heavily loaded Operator. (6) In some embodiments, a dedicated Gateway separates traffic between the Core Networks and the Base Station. (7) In some embodiments, a fully integrated multi-Operator Base Station allows multiple Operators to share many different kinds of resources, such as, but not by limitation, wireless Access Spectrum, antenna, radio chain, transmit power, processing, backhaul to a centralized processing unit, and others. (8) Various of embodiments described herein offer the flexibility of a compact and fully integrated Base Station that permit balancing in the employment of many different kinds of resources, including, by example and not by limitation, wireless Access Spectrum, antenna, radio chain, transmit power, processing, and backhaul to a centralized processing unit that is itself part of that Base Station. (9) A multi-Operator Base Station would be ideal for wholesalers who build networks to be leased out to Operators. In other words, the availability of a multi-Operator Base Station allows new designs for networks intended specifically to allow the sharing of resources.

FIG. 10A illustrates one embodiment of components in a system. In FIG. 10A, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 b, which includes a Baseband subsystem 502 communicatively connected to multiple radio transceiver chains 533 a, 553 b, 553 c, and 533N. Each radio chain is communicatively connected to an antenna. In FIG. 10A, radio transceiver chain 533 a is communicatively connected to antenna 577 a, 553 b to 577 b, 533 c to 577 c, and 533N to 577N. Each antenna communicates over a wireless channel with a group of Subscriber Stations. In FIG. 10A, there are two wireless channels, which are illustrated as 555 a and 555K. 555 a is the radio channel that is used by the two antennas 577 a and 577 b. 555K is the wireless channel that is used by antenna 577 c and 577N.

FIG. 10B illustrates one embodiment of components in a system. In Baseband subsystem 502, there are N digital ports, illustrated by 538 a, 538 b, 538 c, and 538N. Each digital port is connected to an Analog-Digital interface located in a radio transceiver chain. Thus, digital port 538 a is connected to Analog-Digital interface 539 a located within radio transceiver chain 533 a. Similarly, 538 b is connected to 539 b within 533 b, 538 c is connected to 539 c within 533 c, and 538N is connected to 539N within 533N. One possible conversion, but not the only possibility, is a digital communication from the Baseband subsystem 502 to any one of the digital ports, then converted by the Analog-Digital interface connected to that digital port, and then communicated via the corresponding radio transceiver chain to a one or more Subscriber Stations. For example, a digital signal from 502 to 538 a, converted to analog by 539 a, and then transmitted by 533 a to a group of Subscriber Stations. Another possible conversion, but not the only possibility, is an analog communication from a Subscriber Station, to a radio transceiver chain, converted from analog to digital by the Analog-Digital interface within the radio transceiver chain, then communicated to the corresponding digital port, and finally communicated to the Baseband subsystem. For example, an analog signal from a Subscriber Station to radio transceiver chain 533 b, converted to digital by Analog-Digital interface 539 b, communicated to Digital port 538 b, and then communicated to Baseband subsystem 502.

In FIG. 10B, separate paths are not shown within the Baseband subsystem 502 to the Subscriber Stations. The intent is that the Baseband subsystem 502 is sufficiently strong that it communicates directly with each of the subsystems, including subsystem 538 a-539 a-533 a, subsystem 538 b-539 b-533 b, subsystem 538 c-539 c-533 c, and subsystem 538N-539N-533N.

FIG. 10C illustrates one embodiment of multiple signals within a Baseband system 502. In FIG. 10C, Synthesis of digital Baseband signals 55 a creates two signals, each of which ultimately communicates with Subscriber Stations over wireless channel 555 a. One such signal is 55 a 1 created by 55 a and conveyed to 538 a, then to 539 a and to 533 a, then over wireless channel 555 a to Subscriber Stations. Similarly, a signal 55 a 2 synthesized from 55 a is conveyed from 55 a to 538 b to 539 b to 533 b, then over the same wireless channel 555 a to Subscriber Stations. The use of the same wireless channel 555 a for both signals, indicates that the same communication is being sent by multiple signals, at substantially the same time, from the Baseband system 502 to the Subscriber Stations, or conversely that a communication from one Subscriber Station will be received on wireless channel 555 and will travel via both 533 a to 502 and 533 b to 502. A similar process occurs between Synthesis of digital Baseband signal 55N and Subscriber Stations via wireless channel 555K, in which one signal 55N1 is conveyed from 502 to 538 c to 539 c to 533 c to 555K to the Subscriber Stations, or vice versa from one Subscriber Station to 555 k, to 533 c, to 539 c, to 538 c to 55N within Baseband subsystem 502. A second signal 55N2 is conveyed from 502 to 538N to 539N to 533N to 555K to the Subscriber Stations, or conversely from a Subscriber Station to 555K to 533N to 539N to0 538N and to 55N within Baseband subsystem 502.

Letter K representing the number of wireless channels 555 a-555K in use at any particular time, is by intent not the same as letter N representing the number of radio transceiver chains 553 a-553 N. K may be equal N, indicating a one-to-one match between number of wireless channels 555 a-555K in operation and number of signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2 from 502 through syntheses of digital signals 55 a & 55N to radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N, hence to antennas 577 a-577N and Subscriber Stations. K may be less than N, indicating there are fewer wireless channels 555 a-555K than signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2, and this may occur when a transmission is to be repeated in two more simultaneously conveyed signals. When a transmission is made on two or more signals as opposed to only one signal, even when all the signals are propagated on the same radio frequency, that transmission will typically have a higher radio system gain than a transmission on only one signal, which means generally that a transmission with multiple signals can have, in comparison to a transmission with one signal, any of a higher quality link (typically measured by S/N ratio), a greater distance propagation, a greater penetration power, higher data rate, or a combination of any of the foregoing.

In some embodiments, the number of Syntheses of digital Baseband signals 55 a & 55N may be dynamically altered to meet temporal system demands. In some embodiments, the number of wireless channels 555 a-555K may be dynamically altered to meet temporal system demands. The number of each of these elements, the Syntheses and the wireless channels, is independent from the numbers of the other elements, except that K channels may not exceed N communication paths, and the number of syntheses may not exceed N digital Baseband signals.

There are many alternative embodiments in the generation of signals to and from antennas the Subscriber Stations. For example, antennas may be a single antenna connected to a radio transceiver chain, or there may be phased array signals in use, or MIMO signal in use, or any other communication configuration. For example, there may be phased-array coherent reception, Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC), Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE), Maximum Likelihood (ML), or any other number of algorithms in the transmission or reception of a wireless signal.

In one embodiment, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) system 100 b, operative to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among a varying number of wireless channels 555 a-555N. This wireless BS system 100 b may include a Baseband (BB) subsystem 502, which itself may include N digital ports 538 a-538N, operative to synthesize 55 a & 55N N digital Baseband (BB) signals 55 a 1 & 555 a 2 and 55 n 1 & 55 n 2 associated with K wireless channels 555 a & 555K, wherein (1) N is equal to at least 2, (2) K is equal to at most N, and (3) K is equal to at least 1. The wireless BS system 100 b may also include N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N, each of which may be connected to one of the N digital ports 538 a-538N of the BB subsystem 502 via an Analog-Digital interface 539 a-539N. The wireless BS system 100 b may be configured to (A) set dynamically K according to a first criterion, wherein K is a number between 1 and N, (B) assign dynamically the N radio transceiver chains 533 as-533N among the K wireless channels 555 a-555K according to a second criterion such that each radio transceiver chain 533 a-533N is assigned to only one of the wireless channels 555 a-555K, (C) synthesize 55 a-55N, by the BB subsystem 502, the N digital BB signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2 associated with the K wireless channels 555 a-555K, and (D) input the N digital BB signals to the N radio transceiver chains 553 a-533N via the corresponding N digital ports 538 a-538N and the corresponding Analog-Digital interfaces 539 a-539N, thereby transmitting the K wireless channels 555 a-555K via the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N. This embodiment will be called “the Dynamic Assignment embodiment”, and seven alternatives to this embodiment are described below.

In a first alternative embodiment of the Dynamic Assignment embodiment, the number of wireless channels K 555 a-555K is smaller than the number of radio transceiver chains N 533 a-533N, which may mean that at least one of the wireless channels 555 a-555K is transmitted via at least two of the radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N. In one configuration of this alternative embodiment, at least two of the N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2 driving the at least two of the radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N comprise at least two Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) signals, thereby transmitting the at least one of the wireless channels using a MIMO scheme. In a second configuration of this alternative embodiment, at least two of the N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2 driving the at least two of the radio Transceiver chains 533 a-533N comprise at least two phased-array signals, thereby transmitting the at least one of the wireless channels 555 a-555K using a phased-array scheme comprising the at least two of the radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N.

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of multiple signals within a Baseband system 502. FIG. 11 is different in two respects from FIG. 10C. First, there is only one Synthesis of digital Baseband signals 56 a in FIG. 11, as opposed to two in FIG. 10C. The meaning is that all of the N digital Baseband signals in FIGS. 11 56 a 1, 56 a 2, 56 a 3, and 56 aN, are generated by a signal Synthesis 56 a within the Baseband subsystem 502. Second, in FIG. 11 there is only one wireless channel 556 a, driven by the same four radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N, whereas in FIG. 10C there were two wireless channels from the same four radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N. Where there are more chains driving one wireless channel, as there are here in FIG. 11, (1) the system gain for this wireless channel will be higher, in both directions, that is, from the radio transceiver chains to the Subscriber Stations, and from the Subscriber Stations to the radio transceiver chains, or (2) the data capacity of this wireless channel will increase.

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband subsystem 502 in a wireless BS system 100 b, operative to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among a varying number of wireless channels 555 a-555N. The Baseband system 502 includes a single Baseband processor 601, which is operative to generate substantially simultaneously the K wireless channels 555 a-555K and the corresponding N Baseband digital signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2, according to the setting of K.

FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a Baseband subsystem 502 in a wireless BS system 100 b, operative to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among a varying number of wireless channels 555 a-555N. The Baseband system comprises two or more Baseband processors 601 a & 601K, which are operative to generate substantially simultaneously the K wireless channels 555 a-555N and the corresponding N Baseband digital signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2, according to the setting of K.

FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of the subsystem described in FIG. 13. In FIG. 14, there is a Configurable digital interconnect subsystem 690, which interconnects each of the Baseband processors 601 a-601K with at least some of the N digital ports 538 a-538N, according to the setting of K and according to the assignment of the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among the K wireless channels 555 a-555K.

In a second alternative embodiment of the Dynamic Assignment Embodiment, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) system 100 b, operative to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among a varying number of wireless channels 555 a-555N. This wireless BS system 100 b may include a Baseband (BB) subsystem 502, which itself may include N digital ports 538 a-538N, operative to synthesize 55 a & 55N N digital Baseband (BB) signals 55 a 1 & 555 a 2 and 55 n 1 & 55 n 2 associated with K wireless channels 555 a & 555K, wherein (1) N is equal to at least 2, (2) K is equal to at most N, and (3) K is equal to at least 1, wherein the wireless BS system 100 b may be configured to set dynamically K according to the distance between a Subscriber Station and the wireless BS 100 b, such that during the operation phase of the wireless BS 100 b when the Subscriber Stations are relatively distant from the wireless BS 100 b, K is set to 1, thereby creating a single wireless channel 556 a transmitting via the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N and increasing the range of the single wireless channel 556 a to facilitate communication with the relatively distant Subscriber Station. This alternative embodiment will be called “embodiment where initial K=1”, and several alternative embodiments to this embodiment will be described below.

In a first alternative embodiment of an embodiment in which initial K=1, N digital Baseband signals 56 a-56N driving the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N comprise N phased-array signals, thereby transmitting the single wireless channel 556 a using a phased-array scheme comprising the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N, wherein the Baseband subsystem 502 is reconfigured to generate the N phased-array signals accordingly.

In a second alternative embodiment of an embodiment in which initial K=1, during a later operation phase of the wireless BS 100 b when the Subscriber Stations become closer to the wireless BS 100 b, K is set to at least two, such that each of the wireless channels 555 a & 555K is transmitting via less than the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N, thereby decreasing the range of the wireless channels 555 a & 555K, but increasing data throughput of the wireless BS 100 b.

In such second alternative embodiment of an embodiment in which initial K=1, one alternative configuration occurs during or after a transition from a single wireless channel operation to at least two wireless channels operation. At or after this transition, the Baseband subsystem 502 is reconfigured to transition between a single wireless channel N-phased-array operation using wireless channel 556 a to a multiple wireless channels MIMO operation using wireless channels 555 a-555K.

In such second alternative embodiment of an embodiment in which initial K=1, one alternative configuration occurs during or after a transition from a single wireless channel operation to at least two wireless channels operation. At or after such transition, the Baseband subsystem 502 is reconfigured to transition between a transmission scheme including a single wireless channel N-level coherent phase transmission, to a transmission scheme comprising multiple wireless channels MIMO operation. In this alternative configuration, an additional possibility is that the Baseband subsystem 502 is reconfigured to transition between an N-level combining-algorithm reception mode to a multiple wireless channels MIMO reception mode, in which the N-level combining-algorithm reception mode may be any one of phased-array coherent reception, Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC), Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and Maximum Likelihood (ML), or any combination of such alternative reception modes.

In such second alternative embodiment of an embodiment in which initial K=1, one alternative configuration occurs during or after a transition from a single wireless channel operation to at least two wireless channels operation. At or after such transition, the Baseband subsystem 502 is reconfigured to transition between a transmission scheme including Cyclic Delay Diversity (CDD), to a transmission scheme comprising multiple wireless channels MIMO operation. In this alternative configuration, an additional possibility is that the Baseband subsystem 502 is reconfigured to transition between an N-level combining-algorithm reception mode to a multiple wireless channels MIMO reception mode, in which the N-level combining-algorithm reception mode may be any one of Phased-array coherent reception, Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC), Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and Maximum Likelihood (ML), or any combination of such alternative reception modes.

In such second alternative embodiment of an embodiment in which initial K=1, one alternative configuration occurs during the initial operation phrase of the wireless BS 100 b, when all the aggregated transmission power of the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N is used for the transmission of a single wireless channel 556 a, thereby maximizing the range of the single wireless channel 556 a. In this alternative configuration, a further configuration occurs in a later operation phase of the wireless BS 100 b, when each of the wireless channels 555 a-555K is transmitting with less than the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N, and therefore with less power than the aggregated transmission power of the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N, thereby decreasing the range of each of the wireless channels 555 a-555N and decreasing inter-cell interferences with close-by wireless Base Stations.

In a third alternative embodiment of the Dynamic Assignment embodiment, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) system 100 b, operative to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among a varying number of wireless channels 555 a-555N. Such system includes a Baseband subsystem 502 comprising N digital ports 538 a-538N, operative to synthesize 55 a-55N N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2 associated with K wireless channels 555 a-555K , wherein N is equal to at least 2, K is equal to at most N, and K is equal to at least 1. The Baseband processor 502 includes a single Baseband processor 601 operative to generate substantially simultaneously the K wireless channels 555 a-555N and the corresponding N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2, according to the setting of K. In this embodiment, one configuration is where the Baseband processor 601 comprises an ASIC. In this embodiment, an alternative configuration is that the Baseband processor 601 comprises an FPGA. In this embodiment, an alternative configuration is that the Baseband processor 602 comprises a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). In the alternative configuration in which the Baseband processor 602 comprises a DSP, the simultaneous generation of K wireless channels 555 a-555N and the corresponding N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2, is done at least in part in software running on the DSP.

In a fourth alternative embodiment of the Dynamic Assignment embodiment, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) system 100 b, operative to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among a varying number of wireless channels 555 a-555N. The system includes a Baseband subsystem 502, which comprises at least two Baseband processors 601 a & 601K operative to generate substantially simultaneously K wireless channels 555 a-555N and the corresponding N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2, according to the setting of K. In one configuration of this fourth alternative embodiment, each of the Baseband processors 601 a & 601K is operative to generate one of the K wireless channels 555 a-555N and the corresponding N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2.

In a fifth alternative embodiment of the Dynamic Assignment embodiment, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) system 100 b, operative to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among a varying number of wireless channels 555 a-555N. In this system, the second criterion is based on assigning more radio transceiver chains to wireless channels requiring longer range.

In one configuration of this fifth alternative embodiment, in order to achieve long range, radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N convey N-level coherent phase transmissions, and receives combinable signals enabling utilization of reception algorithms such as (1) Phased-array coherent reception, (2) Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC), (3) Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and (4) Maximum Likelihood (ML). In a further possible alternative embodiment of this configuration, the Baseband subsystem 502 is reconfigured to use the combinable signals as at least some of the N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2, upon exercising the assignment based on the second criterion.

In one configuration of this fifth alternative embodiment, in order to achieve long rang, radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N convey Cyclic Delay Diversity (CDD) signals, and/or receive combinable signals enabling utilization of reception algorithms such as (1) Phased-array coherent reception, (2) Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC), (3) Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and (4) Maximum Likelihood (ML). In a further possible alternative embodiment of this configuration, the Baseband subsystem 502 is reconfigured to use the combinable signals as at least some of the N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2, upon exercising the assignment based on the second criterion.

In a sixth alternative embodiment of the Dynamic Assignment embodiment, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) system 100 b, operative to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among a varying number of wireless channels 555 a-555N. In this system, the second criterion is based on assigning more radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N to wireless channels requiring relatively high data throughput rates, and the radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N convey MIMO signals the help obtain relatively high data throughput rates. In one configuration of this sixth alternative embodiment, the Baseband subsystem 502 is reconfigured to synthesize the MIMO signals as at least some of the N digital Baseband signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 and 55N1 & 55N2, upon exercising the assignment based on the second criterion.

In a seventh alternative embodiment of the Dynamic Assignment embodiment, there is a wireless Base Station (BS) system 100 b, operative to assign dynamically a plurality of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among a varying number of wireless channels 555 a-555N. In this system, at least one of the antennas 577 a-577N connected to the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N is an omni-directional antenna, and any wireless channel 555 a-555N propagated by an omni-directional channel can span substantially a 360 degree coverage area around the wireless BS, regardless of an assignment of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N among the wireless channels 555 a-555N.

FIG. 15A illustrates one embodiment of a system state at a particular point of time. In FIG. 15A, there is a Baseband subsystem 502, which includes a Synthesis of Baseband signals 56 a, which synthesizes N number of signals 56 a 1, 56 a 2, 56 a 3, through 56 aN, sent to N number of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N. These signals are then conveyed by the radio transceiver chains over a single wireless channel 556 a associated with a particular frequency range 710 a. FIG. 15A shows an initial state, or in other words an initial phase, of an operation, during which there is communication with a group of wireless Subscriber Stations 777 d located relatively distantly from the radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N. The system state in FIG. 15A is a two-way system, as are all the system FIGS. 10A, 10C, and 11. The uplink path from 777 d to 502 conveys signals in an order opposite from that of the downlink path. This initial state or initial phase of system operation is illustrated in FIG. 15A may be called a “range extension mode”.

FIG. 15B illustrates one embodiment of a system state at a point of time that is different from the point of time illustrated in FIG. 15A. In 15B, there is a Baseband subsystem 502, which includes a Synthesis of digital Baseband signals 55 a and 55N, which synthesizes N number of signals 55 a 1 & 55 a 2 associated with 55 a and 55N1 & 55N2 associated with 55N, sent to N number of radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N. These signals are then conveyed by the radio transceiver chains over K number of wireless channels 555 a and 555K, associated with particular frequency ranges, 710 a and 710K, respectively. FIG. 15B, shows a later state, or in other words a later phase, of an operation, during which there is communication with K groups of wireless Subscriber Stations, 777 n 1 using frequency range 710 a, and 777 n 2 using frequency range 710K, respectively. These two groups are located relatively nearby to the radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N. The system state in FIG. 15B is a two-way system, as are all the system FIGS. 10A, 10C, and 11. The uplink paths from 777 n 1 to 502 and from 777 n 2 to 502, convey signals in an order opposite from that of the downlink paths. The subsequent state or subsequent phase illustrated in FIG. 15B may be called an “enhanced capacity mode”.

There is a transition in time from FIG. 15A to FIG. 15B. Initially, the system can achieve long-range communication for a relatively few number of Subscriber Stations. In the range extension mode, the system does not discriminate against nearby Subscriber Stations, so that there is communication with both relatively distant and relatively nearby Subscriber Stations, but one feature of the system is that it can communicate with relatively distant Subscriber Stations. In a subsequent stage called the enhanced capacity mode, system utilization has increased, the system communicates with more Subscriber Stations, but these Subscriber Stations are located relatively nearby to the radio transceiver chains. Greater capacity is achieved in the enhanced capacity mode by increasing the number of wireless channels, and hence decreasing the number of signals on each channel, all without increasing hardware or system resources. Greater capacity is achieved by eliminating or at least inhibiting communication between the radio transceiver chains and relatively distant Subscriber Stations. Switching between range extension mode and enhanced capacity mode is dynamic, and may change relatively rapidly in accordance with available system resources and relative Subscriber Station demand at any particular point in time.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow diagram describing one method for transitioning from a range extension mode to an enhanced capacity mode in a wireless Base Station 100 b. In step 1041, a wireless Base Station 100 b assigning N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N to a first wireless channel 556 a associated with a first frequency range 710 a. In step 1042, the wireless Base Station 100 b communicating data wirelessly during an initial operation phase, with distant Subscribed Stations 777 d, over the first wireless channel 556 a, via the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N, thereby utilizing the aggregated transmission power and the aggregated reception capability of the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N to reach the distant Subscriber Stations 777 d. In step 1043, the wireless Base Station 100 b stopping communication with the distant Subscriber Stations 777 d at the end of the initial operation phase. In step 1044, the wireless Base Station 100 b assigning a first subset 533 a & 533 b of the N radio transceiver chains to a first wireless channel 555 a associated with a the first frequency range 710 a, and a second subset 533 c & 533N of the N radio transceiver chains to a second wireless channel 555K associated with a second frequency range 710K. In step 1045, the wireless Base Station 100 b wirelessly communicating data with nearby Subscriber Stations 777 n 1 & 777 n 2, over the first 555 a and second 555K wireless channels, respectively, via the first subset 553 a & 555 b and second subset 555 c & 555K of the N radio transceiver chains, respectively, thereby utilizing the aggregated spectrum of the first and second frequency ranges to enhance data capability of the wireless Base Station.

An alternative embodiment of the method immediately described further includes using an N-level coherent-phase transmission scheme over the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N to communicate data wirelessly via the first wireless channel 555 a during the initial operation phrase.

A particular configuration of the alternative embodiment of the method described above includes using an N-level combining-algorithm such as Phased-array coherent reception, MRC, MMSE and ML, in order to utilize the aggregated reception capability of the N radio transceiver chains 533 a-533N during the initial operation phase.

In a further refinement of the particular configuration of the alternative embodiment of the method described above, further including, when the initial operation phase has ended, stopping use of the N-level coherent-phase transmission scheme and the N-level combining-algorithm, and starting use of MIMO transmission and reception schemes for at least one of the first 555 a and second 555K wireless channels.

FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of components comprising a system for direct communication between multiple Core Networks and a wireless Base Station (BS), and between the wireless BS and multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs). Wireless Base Station (BS) 100 c communicates over a backhaul link 105 and network 101 with a plurality of data sources, including at least a First Core Network data source 102 a and a Second Core Network data source 102 b. The wireless BS 100 c also generates a First Radio Access Network 809 a, which includes wireless Subscriber Stations 808, and a Second RAN 809 b.

FIG. 18A illustrates one embodiment of a point in time during which two radio transceiver chains have been allocated over one channel to a first RAN, and two other radio transceiver chains have been allocated over a second channel to a second RAN. Wireless Base Station 100 c includes one or more network processors 201 c, one or more Baseband Processors 502 c, and three or more radio transceiver chains 833 a, 833 b, 833 c, and 833N. A First Core Network data source 102 a communicates a first data set 900 a to the wireless Base Station 100 c, which is then processed by the network processor 201 c and the Baseband Processor 502 c. A Second Core Network data source 102 b communicates a second data set 900 b to the wireless Base Station 100 c, which is then processed by the network process 201 c and the Baseband Processor 502 c. The Baseband Processor 502 c includes a plurality of syntheses of signals, here a first synthesis of signals 955 a and a second synthesis of signals 955N. Each synthesis of signals will generate one or multiple signals to be conveyed over one or more radio transceiver networks to a RAN. At the point of time illustrated in FIG. 18A, synthesis 955 a creates two signals which wirelessly convey the first data set 901 a using each of two radio transceiver chains 833 a and 833 b, over a first RAN 809 a , to a group of Subscriber Stations 808 a. Substantially simultaneously, 955N creates two signals that wirelessly convey the second data set 901 b using each of two radio transceiver chains 833 c and 833N, over a second RAN 809 b, to a group of Subscriber Stations 808 b.

FIG. 18B presents one embodiment of a Baseband Processor 502 c and the associated radio transceiver chains. In FIG. 18B, synthesis of signals 955 a creates two signals. One signal, signal 955 a 1, is conveyed to a radio transceiver chain 833 a, then to an antenna 977 a, then wirelessly conveying a first data set 901 a to a first RAN. A second signal created by 955 a is signal 955 a 2, which is conveyed to a radio transceiver chain 833 b, then to an antenna 977 b, then wirelessly conveying the first data set 901 a to a first RAN. Substantially simultaneously, synthesis of signals 955N creates two signals. One signal, signal 955N1, is conveyed to a radio transceiver chain 833 c, then to an antenna 977 c, then wirelessly conveying a second data set 901 b to a second RAN. A second signal created by 955N is signal 955N2, which is conveyed to a radio transceiver chain 833N, then to an antenna 977N, then wirelessly conveying the second data set 901 b to a second RAN.

For FIGS. 18A and 18B, it may be appreciated that there must be at least a plurality of RANs, but there may be two RANs or any other number higher than two. FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate an embodiment in which there are four radio transceiver chains, but there may be three such chains, four chains, or any number higher than four, provided that each of a plurality of RANs has at least one radio transceiver chain, and at least one of said plurality of RANs has two or more radio transceiver chains at a particular moment in time.

FIG. 19A illustrates one embodiment of a point in time during which three radio transceiver chains have been allocated over one channel to a first RAN, and one other radio transceiver chain has been allocated over a second channel to a second RAN. Wireless Base Station 100 c includes one or more network processors 201 c, one or more Baseband Processors 502 c, and three or more radio transceiver chains 833 a, 833 b, 833 c, and 833N. A First Core Network data source 102 a communicates a first data set 900 a to the wireless Base Station 100 c. A Second Core Network data source 102 b communicates a second data set 900 b to the wireless Base Station 100 c. The Baseband Processor 502 c includes a plurality of syntheses of signals, here a first synthesis of signals 956 a and a second synthesis of signals 956N. Each synthesis of signals will generate one or multiple signals to be conveyed over one more radio transceiver networks to a RAN. At the point of time illustrated in FIG. 19A, synthesis 956 a creates three signals which wirelessly convey the first data set 901 a 2 using each of three radio transceiver chains 833 a, 833 b, and 833 c, over a first RAN 809 a, to a group of Subscriber Stations 808 a. Substantially simultaneously, 956N creates one signal that wirelessly conveys the second data set 901 b 2 using one radio transceiver chain 833N, over a second RAN 809 b, to a group of Subscriber Stations 808 b.

FIG. 19B presents one embodiment of a Baseband Processor 502 c and the associated radio transceiver chains. In FIG. 19B, synthesis of signals 956 a creates three signals. One signal, signal 956 a 1, is conveyed to a radio transceiver chain 833 a, then to an antenna 977 a, then wirelessly conveying a first data set 901 a 2 over a first RAN. A second signal created by 956 a is signal 956 a 2, which is conveyed to a radio transceiver chain 833 b, then to an antenna 977 b, then wirelessly conveying the first data set 901 a 2 over the first RAN. A third signal created by 956 a is signal 956 a 3, which is conveyed to a radio transceiver chain 833 c, then to an antenna 977 c, then wirelessly conveying the first data set 9901 a 2 over the first RAN. Substantially simultaneously, synthesis of signals 956N creates one signal, signal 956N1, which is conveyed to a radio transceiver chain 833N, then to an antenna 977N, then wirelessly conveying a second data set 901 b 2 over a second RAN.

For FIGS. 19A and 19B, it may be appreciated that there must be at least a plurality of RANs, but there may be two RANs or any other number higher than two. FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an embodiment in which there are four radio transceiver chains, but there may be three such chains, four chains, or any number higher than four, provided that each of a plurality of RANs has at least one radio transceiver chain, and at least one of said plurality of RANs has two or more radio transceiver chains at a particular moment in time.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate one embodiment of a system at a particular point in time. FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate one embodiment of the same system at a different point of time. In the first point in time, four radio transceiver chains have been allocated, two chains to each of two RANs. In the second point of time, four radio transceiver chains have been allocated, three chains to a first RAN and one chain to a second RAN.

It may be appreciated that there must be at least three radio transceiver chains in all embodiments. The reason is that all embodiments include (1) at least two operating RANs, and all embodiments include (2) an ability to re-allocate at least one RAN from one Operator to another Operator. As to (1), A radio transceiver chain is part of the infrastructure that creates the RAN, so that a RAN can exist only if at least one radio transceiver chain is allocated to it. Since all embodiments include at least two RANs, and each RAN must have at least one radio transceiver chain, hence every embodiment will include at least two radio transceiver chains to create the at least two RANs. As to (2), all embodiments have the potential to switch at least one radio transceiver chain from one Operator to another Operator, hence every embodiment will include at least three radio transceiver chains. Indeed, FIGS. 18A and 18B show a configuration at one point in time, while FIGS. 19A and 19B show the same system at a different point of time in which one of the radio transceiver chains, 833 c, has been re-allocated from the second RAN to the first RAN.

In one embodiment, a wireless Base Station (BS) 100 c system is operative to communicate directly with multiple Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b on one side and directly provided multiple corresponding Radio Access Networks (RANs) 809 a and 809 b on the other side. Such a system may include a network processor 201 c operative to communicate with a first and a second Core Network data sources 102 a and 102 b, at least one Baseband Processor 502 c operative to create first and second RANs 809 a & 809 b substantially simultaneously, and a pool of at least three radio transceiver chains 833 a, 833 b, 833 c, and 833N operative to accommodate the at least one Baseband Processor 502 c in creating the first and second RANs 809 a and 809 b substantially simultaneously. Such a system may allocate dynamically the pool of the at least three radio transceiver chains 833 a, 833 b, 833 c, and 833N, between the first and second RANs 809 a and 809 b according to a criterion, reconfigure the at least one Baseband Processor 502 c to maintain the first and second RANs 809 a and 809 b according to the recent allocation, and operate the first and second RANs 809 a and 809 b using data communicated with the first and second Core Network data sources 102 a and 102 b, respectively.

In one alternative embodiment of such a system, the criterion may be based on dynamic data rate requirements of at least one of the Core Network data sources 102 a and 102 b, such that when the dynamic data rate requirements of the first Core Network data source 102 a exceed the dynamic data rate requirements of the second Core Network data source 102 b, more radio transceiver chains of those available in the system 833 a, 833 b, 833 c, and 833N, are allocated to the first RAN 809 a as compared to the second RAN 809 b. In one configuration of this alternative embodiment, at least one of the radio transceiver chains 833 a, 833 b, 833 c, and 833N that have been allocated to at least one of the RANs 809 a and 809 b convey Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) signals 955 a 1 and 955 a 2.

In a second alternative embodiment of the wireless Base Station (BS) 100 c system operative to directly communicate with multiple Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b on one side and directly provided multiple corresponding Radio Access Networks (RANs) 809 a and 809 b on the other side, the criterion is based on measuring data rates over at least one of the RANs 809 a and 809 b, such that more of the radio transceiver chains 833 a, 833 b, 833 c, and 833N, are allocated to the first RAN 809 a as compared to the second RAN 809 b, as a result of measuring higher data rates over the first RAN 809 a as compared to the second RAN 809 b. In one configuration of this alternative embodiment, at least one of the radio transceiver chains 833 a, 833 b, 833 c, and 833N, allocated to at least one of the RANs 809 a and 809 b convey Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) signals.

In a third alternative embodiment of the wireless Base Station (BS) 100 c system operative to directly communicate with multiple Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b on one side and directly provided multiple corresponding Radio Access Networks (RANs) 809 a and 809 b on the other side, the criterion is based on system gain requirements of the RANs 809 a and 809 b, such that when the first RAN 809 a requires a higher system gain than the system gain required by the second RAN 809 b, more radio transceiver chains are allocated to the first RAN 809 a than to the second RAN 109 b.

In one configuration of this alternative embodiment, the radio transceiver chains allocated to at least one of the RANs convey signals belonging to a wireless communication scheme selected from a group consisting of Phased-array coherent communication, Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC), Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and Maximum Likelihood (ML).

In a fourth alternative embodiment of the wireless Base Station (BS) 100 c system operative to directly communicate with multiple Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b on one side and directly provided multiple corresponding Radio Access Networks (RANs) 809 a and 809 b on the other side, reconfiguring the at least one Baseband Processor to maintain the first and second RANs 809 a and 809 b according to the recent allocation, further includes performing first and a second signal syntheses 955 a and 955N, or 956 a and 956N, by the at least one Baseband Processor, in which the first synthesis is associated with the first RAN 809 a and the second synthesis is associated with the second RAN 809 b, and in which each sign synthesis creates at least one baseband signal, one of 955 a 1, 955 a 2, 955N1, or 955N2 in FIG. 18B, or one of 956 a 1, 956 a 2, 956 a 3, or 956 aN in FIG. 19B, according to the allocation of radio transceiver chains among the RANs 809 a and 809 b.

There are at least two alternative configurations to the fourth alternative embodiment just described. In one alternative configuration, the first signal synthesis 955 a or 956 a synthesizes at least two baseband signals, and the at least two baseband signals belong to a wireless communication scheme selected from a group consisting of Phased-array coherent communication, Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC), Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) and Maximum Likelihood (ML).

In a second alternative configuration to the fourth alternative embodiment just described, at least the first signal synthesis 955 a or 956 a synthesizes at least two baseband signals, and these at least two baseband signals are Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) signals.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for dynamically generating a plurality of Radio Access Networks (RANs) 809 a & 809 b by a single wireless Base Station (BS) 100 c. In step 1051, determining dynamically a first number of radio transceiver chains and a second number of radio transceiver chains needed by a wireless BS 100 c to convey wirelessly data communicated with a first corresponding Core Network data source 102 a and a second corresponding Core Network data source 102 b. In step 1052, allocating the first and the second numbers of radio transceiver chains, out of a pool of radio transceiver chains 833 a-833N belonging to the wireless BS 100 c, to a first RAN 809 a and a second RAN 809 b of the wireless BS 100 c, respectively. In step 1053, communicating , by the wireless BS 100 c, a first and a second data sets with the first Core Network 102 a and the second Core Network 102 b data sources respectively. In step 1054, conveying wirelessly, by the wireless BS 100 c, to a first set 808 a and a second set 808 b of wireless Subscriber Stations (SS), the first and the second data sets, over the first and the second RANs respectively.

An alternative embodiment of the method just described, further comprising determining from time to time the first and second numbers of radio transceiver chains needed by the wireless BS 100 c to convey wirelessly the first and second data sets, and allocating from time to time the first and second numbers of radio transceiver chains.

One possible configuration of the alternative embodiment just described is such alternative embodiment, further comprising determining the first and the second number of radio transceiver chains according to first and second data rate associated with communicating the first and second data sets, respectively. One possible permutation of this configuration further comprises measuring the first and second data rates. A second possible permutation of this configuration further comprises querying the first 102 a and second 102 b Core Network data sources for the first and second data rates, respectively.

A second possible configuration of the alternative embodiment just described is said alternative embodiment, wherein at some point in time most of the pool of radio transceiver chains is allocated to the first RAN. One possible permutation of this configuration is the configuration wherein in at some point in time most of the pool of radio transceiver chains is allocated to the second RAN.

A third possible configuration of the alternative embodiment just described is such alternative embodiment, further comprising determining the first and second numbers of radio transceiver chains according to a first distance of Subscriber Stations (SS) from the wireless BS 100 c, and a second distance of Subscriber Stations from the wireless BS, respectively.

A second alternative embodiment to the method described is said method, further comprising communicating the first and second data sets with the first 102 a and second 102 b Core Network data sources using at least one Backhaul link 105.

One possible configuration of this second alternative embodiment is said second alternative embodiment, wherein the at least one Backhaul link 105 comprises a first network Tunnel connecting the first Core Network data source 102 a with the wireless BS 100 c, and a second network Tunnel connecting the second Core Network data source 102 b with the wireless BS 100 c. One possible permutation of this configuration of the second alternative embodiment is said second alternative embodiment, in which the wireless BS 100 c is an integrated Pico-BS, having the network Tunnels directly connected to the first 102 a and second 102 b Core Network data sources, and the Pico-BS substantially does not require a dedicated infrastructure to facilitate connectivity with the Core Networks data sources 102 a & 102 b other than the at least one Backhaul link 105 and an network 101 comprising the Core Network data sources 102 a & 102 b.

A second possible configuration of the second alternative embodiment is the second alternative embodiment, in which the first data set is communicated over the first Backhaul link and the second data set is communicated over a second Backhaul link.

A third alternative embodiment to the method described is said method, in which the first Core Network data source 102 a belongs to a first Operator, the second Core Network data source 102 b belongs a second Operator, the first RAN 809 a is associated with an identity of the first Operator, and the second RAN 809 b is associated with the identity of the second Operator.

FIG. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for servicing multiple Operators via a single wireless Base Station (BS) 100 c, utilizing dynamic allocation of radio transceiver chains. In step 1061, a wireless BS 100 c communicating first and second data sets 900 a & 900 b with a first Core Network data source 102 a belonging to a first Operator and with a second Core Network data source 102 b belonging to a second Operator, respectively. In step 1062, the wireless BS 100 c conveying wirelessly, to a first set and a second set of wireless Subscriber Stations (SS) 808 a & 808 b, the first and the second data sets, respectively, over a first and a second RAN, respectively 809 a & 809 b, utilizing a first set 833 a & 833 b and a second set 833 c & 833N of radio transceiver chains, respectively. In Step 1063, determining that the first set of radio transceiver chains is not sufficient to convey the first data set. In Step 1064, increasing the number of radio transceiver chains in the first set, at the expense of the second set, thereby making the first set better suited to convey the first data set.

One alternative embodiment to the method just described is the method, in which increasing the number of radio transceiver chains in the first set further comprises determining the number of radio transceiver chains that can be reduced from the second set of radio transceiver chains without substantially impairing the ability of the second set of radio transceiver chains to convey the second data set, reducing the number of radio transceiver chains from the second set of radio transceiver chains and adding the number of radio transceiver chains to the first set of radio transceiver chains.

A second alternative embodiment to the method for servicing multiple Operators via a single wireless Base Station utilizing dynamic allocation of radio transceiver chains, is such method in which the number of radio transceiver chain in the first set further comprises determining a number of radio transceiver chains to be reduced from the second set of radio transceiver chains and to be added to the first set of radio transceiver chains such that the number of radio transceiver chains is operative to substantially equate the ability of the first set of radio transceiver chains to convey the first data set with the ability of the second set of radio transceiver chains to convey the second data set, reducing the number of radio transceiver chains from the second set of radio transceiver chains, and adding the number of radio transceiver chains to the first set of radio transceiver chains.

FIG. 22A presents one embodiment of components comprising a system to allow wireless Subscriber Stations to roam on the wireless Base Station of a host Operator. On the one side, there is a First Core Network data source 2102 a belonging to a host Operator, and a Second Core Network data source 2102 b belonging to a different Operator, in which these data sources are accessed via a Network 2101, which may be the Internet or another network. Element 2102 a is connected by general backhaul channel 2105 of the host Operator to a wireless Base Station (BS) 2100 of the host Operator, and element 2102 b is connected by a dedicated backhaul channel 2106 of the other Operator to the wireless BS 2100. Subscriber Stations 2018 a of the host Operator, and Subscriber Stations of the other Operator 2108 b, use wireless spectrum 2109 of the host Operator to communicate with the wireless BS 2100.

FIG. 22B presents one embodiment of components comprising a system to allow wireless Subscriber Stations to roam on the wireless Base Station of a host Operator. FIG. 22B presents one embodiment of possible data flow between Subscriber Stations and Core Network data sources. There is one data flow 2300 a between a First Core Network data source 2102 a belonging to a first (host) Operator 2102 a′, and a Subscriber Station 2108 a associated with the host Operator. Data flows 2300 a to and from the data source 2102 a over the general backhaul channel 2105, to and from the wireless BS 2100, then over the wireless spectrum 2109 to and from the Subscriber Station of the host Operator 2108 a. There is a second data flow 2300 b between a Second Core Network data source 2102 b belonging to a second Operator 2102 b′ (the “own Operator” of Subscriber Station 2108 b), and a Subscriber Station 2108 b associated with the second Operator. Data flows 2300 b to and from the data source 2102 b over the dedicated backhaul channel 2106, to and from the wireless BS 2100, then over the wireless spectrum 2109 to and from the Subscriber Station of the second Operator 2108 b.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the elements of a method for connecting a Subscriber Station (SS) 2108 b with its own Operator 2102 b′, using a wireless Base Station (BS) 2100 belonging to a different Operator (the “host Operator”) 2102 a′. In step 3001, establishing a wireless connection between (i) a wireless Base Station (BS) 2100 belonging to a first Operator 2102 a′ (which is the host Operator) and (ii) at least one SS 2108 b associated with a second Operator 2102 b′ (which is not the host Operator), using wireless spectrum 2109 belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′. In step 3002, opening a dedicated Backhaul channel 2106 between the wireless BS 2100 of the host Operator 2102 a′ and a Core Network data source 2102 b belonging to the second Operator 2102 b′, wherein said dedicated Backhaul channel 2106 is used substantially solely for communicating data sets between the second Operator 2012 b′ and the at least one SS 2108 b. In step 3003, communicating data sets between the Core Network data source 2012 b of the second Operator 2102 b′ and the at least one SS 2108 b, via (i) the dedicated Backhaul channel 2106 and (ii) the wireless BS 2100 using the wireless spectrum 2109.

In a first possible implementation of the method just described, the opening of the Backhaul channel 2106 is done only after establishing the wireless connection. Among other possible advantages, this eliminates the need to maintain the dedicated Backhaul channel 2106 in a case in which the at least one SS is not connected wirelessly to the wireless BS 2100.

In a second possible implementation of the method just described, opening of the dedicated Backhaul channel 2106 is done prior to establishing the wireless connection. In this way, latency associated with opening the dedicated Backhaul channel as a response to establishing the wireless connection, will be reduced.

In a third possible implementation of the method just described, the dedicated Backhaul channel 2106 is a network Tunnel directly connecting the Second Core Network data source 2102 b with the wireless Base Station 2100.

In this third possible implementation of the method just described, one further possible implementation is that the network Tunnel is an Internet Protocol (IP) Tunnel or a Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) Tunnel.

In a fourth possible implementation of the method just described, a further step is opening a general Backhaul channel 2105, belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′ (the host Operator), between the wireless BS 2100 and a Core Network data source 2102 a belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′, prior to opening the general Backhaul channel 2105, wherein said general Backhaul channel 2105 is used substantially solely for communicating data sets between the first Operator 2102 a′ and Subscriber Stations 2180 a associated with the first Operator 2102 a′. Also, communicating data sets between the Core Network data source 2102 a belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′ and the Subscriber Stations 2108 a associated with the first Operator 2102 a′, via (i) the general Backhaul channel 2105 and (ii) the wireless BS 2100 using the wireless spectrum 2109, substantially concurrently with communicating data sets between the Core Network data source 2102 b belonging to the second Operator 2102 b′ and the at least one SS 2108 b associated with the second Operator 2102 b′. In this fourth implementation of the method just described, traffic is separated at the Backhaul level between (i) data sets communicated between the first Operator's Core Network data source 2102 a and the first Operator's Subscriber Stations 2108 a, and (ii) data sets communicated between the second Operator's Core Network data source 2102 b and the second Operator's Subscriber Stations 2108 b.

In this fourth possible implementation of the method just described, one further possible implementation is that both Subscriber Stations 2108 a associated with the first Operator 2102 a′, and Subscriber Stations 2108 b associated with the second Operator 2102 b′, are wirelessly connected to the wireless BS 2100, via a single Radio Access Network (RAN) 2209 created by the wireless BS 2100 using the wireless spectrum 2109, thereby creating a traffic union at the RAN level between (i) data sets communicated between the first Operator's Core Network data source 2102 a and the first Operator's Subscriber Stations 2108 a, and (ii) data sets communicated between the second Operator's Core Network data source 2102 b and the second Operator's Subscriber Stations 2108 b.

In this fourth possible implementation of the method just described, a second further possible implementation is opening and using the dedicated Backhaul channel 2106 between the Core Network data source of the second Operator 2102 b and the wireless BS 2100 of the first Operator 2102 a′, thereby facilitating partial roaming. In this second further possible implementation of the fourth possible implementation of the method just described, it is possible to eliminate a need of the Subscriber Stations 2108 b associated with the second Operator 2102 b′ to use the Core Network data source 2102 a belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′ or the Core network data sources 2102 a belonging to the first Operator 210 a′.

In this fourth possible implementation of the method just described, a third further possible implementation is tracking, by the wireless BS 2100, the amount of spectrum resources associated with the wireless spectrum 2109, that are used by the at least one SS 2108 b associated with the second Operator 2102 b′. Also, sending data gathered during tracking to the second Operator 2102 b′. Such data may be used by the first Operator 2102 a′ to bill the second Operator 2102 b′ for the partial roaming services provided by the first Operator 2102 a′.

In a fifth possible implementation of the method just described, a further step is determining the identity of the second Operator 2102 b′ prior to establishing the wireless connection. Also, establishing the wireless connection only if the identity of the second Operator 2102 b′ matches a list of approved Operators. In a sixth possible implementation of the method just described, a further step is determining the identity of the second Operator 2102 b′ during or after the course of establishing the wireless connection. Also, terminating the wireless connection if the identity of the second Operator 2102 b′ does not match a list of approved Operators.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the elements of a method for partial roaming. In step 3011, sharing, by a wireless BS 2100 belonging to a first Operator 2102 a′, a wireless spectrum 2109 belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′, with Subscriber Stations 2108 a not associated with the first Operator 2102 a′. In step 3012, separating, by the wireless BS 2100, at a Backhaul level, traffic of the Subscriber Stations 2108 b not associated with the first Operator 2102 a′ from traffic of Subscriber Stations 2108 a associated with the first Operator 2102 a′, by maintaining at least two separate Backhaul channels, such that a first Backhaul channel 2105 connects the wireless BS 2100 with a Core Network data source 2102 a belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′, and each of the remaining Backhaul channels belonging to another Operator connects the wireless BS 2100 with a Core Network data source belonging to that other Operator, respectively. FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 25C, show exactly two Operators, including a first Operator 2102 a′ and a second Operator 2102 b′, but this is illustrative only. In all cases, there will be at least a first Operator 2012 a′ and at least one other Operator, but there may be two, three, any other number, of other Operators.

In a first possible implementation of the method just described, a further step wherein each Backhaul channel is a network Tunnel, and each network Tunnel directly connects the wireless BS 2100 with the Core Network data source to which the network Tunnel is connected.

In this first possible implementation of the method just described, one further possible implementation is that the network Tunnel is an Internet Protocol (IP) Tunnel or a Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) Tunnel.

In a second possible implementation of the method just described, tracking, by the wireless BS 2100, the amount of spectrum resources associated with the wireless spectrum 2109, which are used by Subscriber Stations 2180 b not associated with the first Operator 2102 a′. Also, sending data gathered during tracking to Operators associated with Subscriber Stations 2108 b not associated with the first Operator 2102 a′, wherein said gathered data may be used by the first Operator 2102 a′ to bill the Operators associated with Subscriber Stations 2108 b not associated with the first Operator 2102 a′.

In a third possible implementation of the method just described, a further step is determining the identity of Operators associated with the Subscriber Stations 2108 b not associated with the first Operator 2102 a prior to establishing a wireless connection between the wireless BS 2100 and the Subscriber Stations 2108 b not associated with the first Operator 2102 a′. Also, establishing a wireless connection for Subscriber Stations associated with a particular Operator only if the identity of that particular Operator matches a list of approved Operators.

In a fourth possible implementation of the method just described, a further step is determining the identity of Operators associated with the Subscriber Stations 2108 b not associated with the first Operator 2102 a′ after establishing a wireless connection between the wireless BS 2100 and the Subscriber Stations 2108 b not associated with the first Operator 2102 a′. Also, terminating the wireless connection for Subscriber Stations associated with a particular Operator if the identity of that particular Operator does not match a list of approved Operators.

In one embodiment, there is a system that allows partial roaming. The system includes a First Core Network data source 2102 a belonging to a first Operator 2102 a′, and a Second Core Network data source 2102 b belonging to a second Operator 2102 b′. The system also includes a wireless BS 2100 belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′, operative to communicate with a first set of Subscriber Stations 2108 b associated with a second Operator 2102 b′, over a wireless spectrum 2109 belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′. In one embodiment, the system transports traffic over a general Backhaul channel 2105 connecting the wireless BS 2100 to the First Core Network data source 2102 a, between the first set of Subscriber Stations 2108 a and the First Core Network data source 2102 a. The system also transports traffic over a dedicated Backhaul channel 2106 connecting the wireless BS 2100 to the Second Core Network data source 2102 b, between the second set of Subscriber Stations 2108 b and the Second Core Network data source 2102 b.

In one alternative embodiment of the system allowing partial roaming, just described, each Backhaul channel is a network Tunnel directly connecting the respective Core Network data source with the wireless BS 2100 of the first Operator 2102 a′. If there are Subscriber Stations associated with two Operators, for example, then the general Backhaul channel 2105 connecting the First Core Network data source 2102 a to the first set of Subscriber Stations 2108 b is one network Tunnel, and the dedicated Backhaul channel 2106 connecting the Second Core Network data source 2102 b to the second set of Subscriber Stations 2108 b is a second network Tunnel.

In a first alternative embodiment to the embodiment in which the Backhaul channels are network Tunnels, each network Tunnel is an Internet Protocol (IP) Tunnel or a Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) Tunnel.

In a first alternative embodiment to the embodiment in which the Backhaul channels are network Tunnels, at least two of the network Tunnels are transported over a single physical Backhaul link.

In a second alternative embodiment of the system allowing partial roaming, described above, each Backhaul channel is a separate physical Backhaul link.

In a third alternative embodiment of the system allowing partial roaming, described above, the system tracks the wireless spectrum resources used by the set of Subscriber Stations 2108 b associated with the second Operator 2102 b′. Also, data collected during the tracking process is sent to the second Operator 2102 b′, and such data may be used by the first Operator 2102 a′ to bill the second Operator 2102 b′ for the partial roaming services provided by the first Operator 2102 a′ to Subscriber Stations 2108 b associated with the second Operator 2102 b′.

In a fourth alternative embodiment of the system allowing partial roaming, described above, the system determines the identity of the second Operator 2102 b′ prior to establishing a wireless connection between the wireless BS 2100 and at least one of the second set of Subscriber Stations 2108 b. Also, the system allows communication with such Subscriber Station 2108 b, only if the Operator 2102 b′ with whom the Subscriber Station 2108 b is associated, appears on a list of Operators approved to receive roaming services from the first Operator 2102 a′.

In a fifth alternative embodiment of the system allowing partial roaming, described above, the system determines the identity of the second Operator 2102 b′ after establishing a wireless connection between the wireless BS 2100 of the first Operator 2102 a′ and at least one of the second set of Subscriber Stations 2108 b. Also, the system stops communication with such Subscriber Station 2108 b, if the Subscriber Station 2108 b is associated with an Operator 2102 b′ who does not appear on a list of Operators approved to receive roaming services from the first Operator 2102 a′.

FIG. 25A presents one embodiment of components of the state of a communication that allows partial roaming. There is a First Core Network data source 2102 a which is part of the system of a first Operator 2102 a′. Sets of data are transmitted 2400 a between the First Core Network data source 2102 a, via a Radio Access Network (RAN) 2209 of the First Operator 2102 a′, to one or more Subscriber Stations 2108 a associated with the First Operator 2102 a′. Although the system presented in FIG. 25A allows partial roaming, there is no roaming in the state shown in FIG. 25A.

FIG. 25B presents one embodiment of components of the same system as presented in FIG. 25A, except that the state of the system is different. In FIG. 25B, one or more Subscriber Stations 2108 b not associated with the First Operator 2102 a′ request access to the First Operator's RAN 2209.

FIG. 25C presents one embodiment of components of the same system as presented in FIGS. 25A and 25B, except that the state of the system is different. In FIG. 25C, one or more Subscriber Stations 2108 b not associated with the First Operator 2102 a′ have been allowed access to the RAN 2209 of the First Operator 2102 a′. In this state of the system, there is a Second Core Network data source 2102 b, which belongs to a second Operator 2102 b′. The Subscriber Station 2108 b that is not associated with the First Operator 2012 a′, is associated with the Second Operator 2102 b′. Sets of data are transmitted 2400 b between the Second Core Network data source 2102 b, via the RAN 2209 belonging to the First Operator 2102 a′, and the Subscriber Station 2108 b associated with the Second Operator 2102 b′.

FIG. 26 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the elements of a method for partial roaming. In step 3021, transmitting 2400 a sets of data from a data source 2102 a of the host Operator 2102 a′ to Subscriber Stations 2108 a of the host Operator 2102 a′. In particular, transmitting 2400 a sets of data by a first Operator 2102 a′ (also known as the host Operator), from a Core Network data source 2102 a belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′, to a first set of Subscriber Stations 2108 a associated with the first Operator 2102 a′, over a Radio Access Network (RAN) 2209 belonging to the first Operator 2102 a′. In step 3022, detecting that a Subscriber Station 2108 b associated with a second Operator 2102 b′ is requesting access to the RAN 2209 of the host Operator 2102 a′. In step 3023, admitting the Subscriber Station 2108 b associated with the second Operator 2108 b′, to the RAN 2209 of the host Operator 2102 a′. In 3024, relaying by the RAN 2209 of the first Operator 2102 a′, sets of data transmitted 2400 b by a Core Network data source 2102 b belonging to the second Operator 2102 b′, to one or more Subscriber Stations 2108 b associated with the second Operator 2102 b′.

FIG. 27A presents one embodiment of components of a system in which Subscriber Stations (SS) 2508 a and 2508 b operating in one wireless coverage area associated with different Operators share one wireless Base Station (BS) 2510, and one shared Backhaul link 2505. In this way, the first set of Subscriber Stations 2508 a communicates with the First Core Network data source 2502 a of a first Operator, and the second set of Subscriber Stations 2508 b communicates with the Second Core Network data source 2502 b of a second Operator, all over the same shared Backhaul link 2505 and wireless BS 2510 infrastructure. The wireless BS 2510 may belong to the first Operator, or to the second Operator, or to another Operator not communicating on the system, or to a non-Operator entity. Similarly, the shared Backhaul link 2505, which is shared by both Core Network data sources 2502 a and 2502 b, as well as by the multiple sets of Subscriber Stations 2508 a and 2508 b, may belong to the first Operator, or to the second Operator, or to another Operator not communicating on the system, or to a non-Operator entity. FIG. 27 a presents two Core Network data sources and two sets of Subscriber Stations, but it will be appreciated that there may be any number of data sources and any number of sets of Subscriber Stations. By way of example, but not by way of limitation, the shared Backhaul link 2505 may be a fiberoptic channel, or a cable, or microwave link, or a satellite data-link, or another wireless link.

FIG. 27B also presents one embodiment of components of a system in which Subscriber Stations (SS) 2508 a and 2508 b operating in one wireless coverage area associated with different Operators share one wireless Base Station (BS) 2510, one shared Backhaul link 2505, and one network 2501. In FIG. 27B, however, there are clearly two separate data paths, indicated by the dotted lines 2511 a and 2511 b, where first set of data 2511 a depicts communication between 2502 a and 2508 a, whereas second set of data 2511 b depicts communication between 2502 b and 2508 b, wherein both data sets of data communicate over 2505 and 2510.

In one embodiment, there is a system for effectively sharing resources of a shared Backhaul link 2505. The system may include a shared Backhaul link 2505. The system may include a wireless Base Station (BS) 2510 operative to receive from a first Core Network data source 2502 a and a second Core Network data source 2502 b, belonging to first and second Operators, respectively, first and second sets of data, respectively, via the shared Backhaul link 2505 connected to the wireless BS 2510. The wireless BS is also operative to convey wirelessly the first and second sets of data, to a first set of Subscriber Stations 2508 a and a second set of Subscriber Stations 2508 b, said sets of Subscriber Stations associated with the first and second Operators, respectively. The system may be configured to control the rates at which the first and second sets of data are received by the wireless BS 2510, such that overloading of the shared Backhaul link 2505 is prevented.

In one alternative embodiment of the system embodiment just described, control of the rates is done by the wireless BS 2510, and the wireless BS 2510 effects such control by using packet shaping techniques applied at the wireless level.

In a second alternative embodiment to the system embodiment just described, control of the rates is done by the wireless BS 2510, and the wireless BS 2510 effects such control by using packet shaping techniques applied at the shared Backhaul link 2505 level.

FIG. 28 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the elements of a method for effectively utilizing a shared Backhaul link 2505 of a wireless Base Station (BS) 2510 servicing a plurality of Operators. In step 3031, receiving, by a wireless BS 2505, from first and second Core Network data sources 2502 a & 2502 b, belonging to first and second Operators, respectively, first and second sets of data 2511 a & 2511 b, respectively, via a shared Backhaul link 2505, and connected to the wireless BS 2510. In step 3032, conveying wirelessly, by the wireless BS 2510, the first and second sets of data 2511 a & 2511 b, to first and second sets of Subscriber Stations 2508 a & 2508 b, associated with the first and second Operators, respectively, at first and second wireless data rates, respectively. The first and second rates may be the same or different, and either or both of the rates may change over time.

In a first possible implementation of the method just described, the sets of data 2511 a & 2511 b are packetized, and controlling the first wireless data rate is done by the wireless BS 2510 using packet shaping techniques.

In a second possible implementation of the method just described, controlling the first wireless data rate is done by limiting the number of Subscriber Stations in the first set of Subscriber Stations 2508 a.

In a third possible implementation of the method just described, controlling the first wireless data rate is done by limiting the rate at which at least one of the Subscriber Stations in the first set of Subscriber Stations 2508 a communicates data with the wireless BS 2510.

In a fourth possible implementation of the method just described, the first wireless data rate is limited to a predetermined level that is lower than the predetermined Backhaul data rate, and the predetermined level of the first wireless data rate is increased if such predetermined level and the second wireless data rate together do not exceed the predetermined Backhaul data rate.

In a fifth possible implementation of the method just described, the predetermined Backhaul data rate is a maximum rate at which the shared Backhaul link 2505 is operative to transport data.

In a sixth possible implementation of the method just described, the predetermined Backhaul data rate is between 60 percent and 90 percent of a maximum rate at which the shared Backhaul link 2505 is operative to transport data.

In a seventh possible implementation of the method just described, the first set of data 2511 a is transported from the first Core Network data source 2502 a to the wireless BS 2510 via a first network Tunnel extending from the first Core Network data source 2502 a to the wireless BS 2510, and the second set of data 2511 b is transported from the second Core Network data source 2502 b to the wireless BS 2510 via a second network Tunnel extending from the second Core Network data source 2502 b to the wireless BS 2510, wherein both the first and the second network Tunnels are transported, at least in part, over the shared Backhaul link 2505.

In this seventh possible implementation of the method described above for effectively utilizing a shared Backhaul link 2505 of a wireless BS 2510 servicing a plurality of Operators, a further possible implementation is that at least one of the network Tunnels is of a type selected from a group consisting of an Internet Protocol (IP) Tunnel and a Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) Tunnel

In an eighth possible implementation of the method just described, the system tracks a first rate at which the first set of data 2511 a is received by the wireless BS 2510, and the first Operator is billed according to the results of the tracking.

In this eighth possible implementation of the method described above for effectively utilizing a shared Backhaul link 2505 of a wireless BS 2510 servicing a plurality of Operators, a further possible implementation includes tracking a rate at which the second set of data 2511 a is received by the wireless BS 2510, and billing the second Operator according to the results of the tracking.

In a ninth possible implementation of the method just described, the second wireless data rate is controlled such that the first set of data 2511 a and the second set of data 2511 b received via the shared Backhaul link 2505 together substantially do not exceed a predetermined Backhaul data rate. In this ninth possible implementation of the method described above for effectively utilizing a shared Backhaul link 2505 of a wireless BS 2510 servicing a plurality of Operators, a further possible implementation includes increasing the first data rate 2511 a at the expense of the second wireless data rate 2511 b, such that the first and second sets of data 2511 a & 2511 b received via the wireless Backhaul link 2505 together still substantially do not exceed the predetermined Backhaul data rate.

FIG. 29 is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 27A, similar to FIG. 27A except that in FIG. 29, there are multiple Radio Access Networks (RANs), servicing multiple sets of Subscriber Stations. The system endpoints in FIG. 29 are network 2601, and the RANs including first RAN 2629 a and second RAN 2629 b. Within network 2601, there is a first Core Network data source 2602 a′ and a second Core Network data source 2602 b′. Within the first RAN 2629 a is a first set of Subscriber Stations 2608 a, while in the second RAN 2629 b is a second set of Subscriber Stations 2608 b. Communication between the Core Network data sources and the RANs, occurs over a shared Backhaul link 2605, in which communication between the first Core Network data source 2602 a′ and the first RAN 2629 a occurs via a first Backhaul transmission 2611 a, whereas the communication between the second Core Network data source 2602 b′ and the second RAN 2629 b occurs via a second Backhaul transmission 2611 b.

FIG. 30 illustrates one possible configuration of the system depicted in FIG. 29. In FIG. 30, the first RAN 2629 a is connected to the shared Backhaul link 2605 by a first data link 2611 a′, whereas the second RAN 2629 b is connected to the shared Backhaul link 2605 by a second data link 2611 b′. The data links 2611 a′ and 2611 b′ are both physical links, but they may be the same kind of physical link, or different physical links. By way of example, but not by way of limitation, both links may be fiberoptic channels, or both may be cables, or both may be microwave, or both may be satellite, or both may be any other physical layer connection between the RANS and the shared Backhaul link 2605. Similarly by way of example but not by way of limitation, the data links may be different, where the first data link may be fiberoptic and the second data link may be cable, or the first data link may be microwave and the second data link may be satellite, or any other combination of physical links is possible.

FIG. 31 illustrates one possible embodiment of a system, in which a single wireless BS 2610 generates two RANs, including a first RAN 2629 a with a first set of Subscriber Stations 2608 a, and a second RAN 2629 b with a second set of Subscriber Stations 2608 b. The single wireless BS 2610 is connected via a shared Backhaul link 2605 to a network not shown in FIG. 31. FIG. 31 is one possible configuration of such a communication system, in which there is a single wireless BS and multiple RANs. Other possible combinations would feature multiple wireless Base Stations, in which each wireless BS would generate one or more RANs, but in all cases each RAN is generated by at most one wireless BS at any particular time.

FIG. 32 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for effectively sharing a Backhaul link between at least two Radio Access Networks (RANs) belonging to different operators. In step 3041, the first RAN 2629 a, belonging to a first Operator receives a first Backhaul transmission 2611 a intended for a first set of Subscriber Stations 2608 a serviced by the first RAN 2629 a, via a shared Backhaul link 2605, wherein the shared Backhaul link 2605 transports the first Backhaul transmission 2611 a together with at least a second Backhaul transmission 2611 b intended for a second set of Subscriber Stations 2608 b serviced by a second RAN 2629 b. In step 3042, the system controls the rate at which the first Backhaul transmission 2611 a is received by the first RAN 2629 a, such that the first and second Backhaul transmissions 2611 a & 2611 b together substantially do not exceed a predetermined Backhaul data rate.

In a first possible implementation of the method just described, the controlling of the rate at which the first Backhaul transmission 2611 a is received is done by the first RAN 2629 a.

In a second possible implementation of the method just described, the first RAN 2629 a is connected to the shared Backhaul link 2605 via a first data link 2611 a′, and the second RAN 2629 b is connected to the shared Backhaul link 2605 via a second data link 2611 b′.

In a third possible implementation of the method just described, the first Backhaul transmission 2611 a is transported from a first Core Network data source 2602 a′ belonging to the first Operator to the first RAN 2629 a using a first network Tunnel passing through the shared Backhaul link 2605.

In a fourth possible implementation of the method just described, the first RAN 2629 a and the second RAN 2629 b are generated by a single wireless Base Station (BS) 2610.

In this fourth possible implementation of the method described above for effectively sharing a Backhaul link between at least two Radio Access Networks (RANs) belonging to different Operators where at least two RANs are generated by a single wireless Base Station, a further possible implementation is that the shared Backhaul link 2605 is directly connected to the wireless BS 2610.

In a fifth possible implementation of the method just described, the rate at which the first Backhaul transmission 2611 a is received via the shared Backhaul link 2605 is increased at the expense of the rate at which the second Backhaul transmission 2611 b is received via the shared Backhaul link, such that the first and second Backhaul transmissions 2611 a & 2611 b via the shared Backhaul link 2605 together still substantially do not exceed the predetermined Backhaul data rate.

In a sixth possible implementation of the method just described, the controlling of the rate at which the first Backhaul transmission 2611 a is received is done by the first RAN 2629 a, using packet shaping techniques applied at the RAN level.

In a seventh possible implementation of the method just described, the controlling of the rate at which the first Backhaul transmission 2611 a is received is done by the first RAN 2629 a, using packet shaping techniques applied at the shared Backhaul link 2605 level.

In an eighth possible implementation of the method just described, the system indicates to the first RAN 2629 a utilization levels of the shared Backhaul link 2605, and the rate at which the first Backhaul transmission 2611 a is received is controlled according to such indication.

FIG. 33 is a flow diagram illustrating one method for splitting dynamically resources of a shared Backhaul link 2605 between different Operators. In step 3051, a wireless Base Station (BS) 2610 services first and second sets of Subscriber Stations 2608 a & 2608 b associated with first and second Operators, respectively, using first and second sets of data, respectively, 2511 a & 2511 b received via a shared Backhaul link 2605 from the first and second Operators, respectively. In step 3502, the system dynamically splits the resources of the shared Backhaul link 2605 by controlling dynamically the rates at which the first and second sets of data 2511 a & 2511 b are received, such that overloading of the shared Backhaul link 2605 is prevented.

In one possible implementation of the method just described, the system dynamically increases the rate at which the first set of data 2511 a is received at the expense of the rate at which the second set of data 2511 b is received, such that overloading of the shared Backhaul link 2605 is prevented.

In this Detailed Description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known hardware, software, materials, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. In this description, references to “one embodiment” mean that the feature being referred to may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Moreover, separate references to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Illustrated embodiments are not mutually exclusive, unless so stated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the invention may include any variety of combinations and/or integrations of the features of the embodiments described herein. Although some embodiments may depict serial operations, the embodiments may perform certain operations in parallel and/or in different orders from those depicted. Moreover, the use of repeated reference numerals and/or letters in the text and/or drawings is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. The embodiments are not limited in their applications to the details of the order or sequence of steps of operation of methods, or to details of implementation of devices, set in the description, drawings, or examples. Moreover, individual blocks illustrated in the figures may be functional in nature and do not necessarily correspond to discrete hardware elements. While the methods disclosed herein have been described and shown with reference to particular steps performed in a particular order, it is understood that these steps may be combined, sub-divided, or reordered to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings of the embodiments. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the steps is not a limitation of the embodiments. Furthermore, methods and mechanisms of the embodiments will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, some embodiments may include multiple iterations of a method or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. For example, when an interface is disclosed in an embodiment, the scope of the embodiment is intended to cover also the use of multiple interfaces. Certain features of the embodiments, which may have been, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in various combinations in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the embodiments, which may have been, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Embodiments described in conjunction with specific examples are presented by way of example, and not limitation. Moreover, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for effectively utilizing a shared backhaul link connected to a wireless base station servicing a plurality of operators comprising first and second operators, said method comprising: receiving, by the wireless base station, from first and second core network data sources belonging to the first and second operators, first and second sets of data respectively, via the shared backhaul link connected to the wireless base station; conveying wirelessly, by the wireless base station, the first and second sets of data, to first and second sets of subscriber stations associated with the first and second operators, at first and a second wireless data rates respectively; and controlling the first wireless data rate such that the first and second sets of data received via the shared backhaul link together do not substantially exceed a predetermined backhaul data rate, and wherein the controlling is done by limiting the number of subscriber stations in the first set of subscriber stations.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sets of data are packetized, and the controlling is done by the wireless base station using packet shaping techniques.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling is done by limiting the rate at which at least one of the subscriber stations in the first set of subscriber stations communicates data with the wireless base station.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling is done by limiting the rate at which at least one of the subscriber stations in the first set of subscriber stations communicates data with the wireless base station.
 5. A method for effectively sharing a backhaul link between at least two radio access networks belonging to different operators comprising first operator and second operators, said method comprising: receiving, by a first radio access network belonging to the first operator, a first backhaul transmission intended for a first set of subscriber stations serviced by the first radio access network, via the shared backhaul link, wherein the shared backhaul link transports the first backhaul transmission together with at least a second backhaul transmission intended for a second set of subscriber stations serviced by a second radio access network; controlling the rate at which the first backhaul transmission is received, such that the first and second backhaul transmissions via the shared backhaul link together do not substantially exceed a predetermined backhaul data rate; and wherein the first backhaul transmission is transported from a first core network data source belonging to the first operator to the first radio access network using a first network tunnel passing through the shared backhaul link.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the controlling is done by the first radio access network.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the first radio access network is connected to the shared backhaul link via a first data link, and the second radio access network is connected to the shared backhaul link via a second data link.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the first radio access network and the second radio access network are generated by a single wireless base station.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the shared backhaul link is directly connected to the wireless base station.
 10. The method of claim 5, further comprising: increasing the rate at which the first backhaul transmission is received at the expense of the rate at which the second backhaul transmission is received, such that the first and second backhaul transmissions via the shared backhaul link together still do not substantially exceed the predetermined backhaul data rate.
 11. The method of claim 5, wherein the controlling is done using packet shaping techniques.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the packet shaping techniques are applied by one of (1) the wireless base station, or (2) the first radio access network.
 13. The method of claim 5, further comprising: indicating, to the first radio access network, utilization levels of the shared backhaul link; and controlling the rate at which the first backhaul transmission is received according to the indication.
 14. A method for effectively utilizing a shared backhaul link connected to a wireless base station servicing a plurality of operators comprising first and second operators, said method comprising: receiving, by the wireless base station, from first and second core network data sources belonging to the first and second operators, first and second sets of data respectively, via the shared backhaul link connected to the wireless base station; conveying wirelessly, by the wireless base station, the first and second sets of data, to first and second sets of subscriber stations associated with the first and second operators, at first and second wireless data rates respectively; controlling the first wireless data rate such that the first and second sets of data received via the shared backhaul link together do not substantially exceed a predetermined backhaul data rate; limiting the first wireless data rate to a predetermined level that is lower than the predetermined backhaul data rate; and increasing the predetermined level of the first wireless data rate if such predetermined level and the second wireless data rate together do not exceed the predetermined backhaul data rate.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sets of data are packetized, and the controlling is done by the wireless base station using packet shaping techniques.
 16. A method for effectively utilizing a shared backhaul link connected to a wireless base station servicing a plurality of operators comprising first and second operators, said method comprising: receiving, by the wireless base station, from first and second core network data sources belonging to the first and second operators, first and second sets of data respectively, via the shared backhaul link connected to the wireless base station; conveying wirelessly, by the wireless base station, the first and second sets of data, to first and second sets of subscriber stations associated with the first and second operators, at first and second wireless data rates respectively; controlling the first wireless data rate such that the first and second sets of data received via the shared backhaul link together do not substantially exceed a predetermined backhaul data rate; transporting the first set of data from the first core network data source to the wireless base station via a first network tunnel extending from the first core network data source to the wireless base station; transporting the second set of data from the second core network data source to the wireless base station via a second network tunnel extending from the second core network data source to the wireless base station; and wherein both the first and the second network tunnels are transported, at least in part, over the shared backhaul link.
 17. A method for effectively utilizing a shared backhaul link connected to a wireless base station servicing a plurality of operators comprising first and second operators, said method comprising: receiving, by the wireless base station, from first and second core network data sources belonging to the first and second operators, first and second sets of data respectively, via the shared backhaul link connected to the wireless base station; conveying wirelessly, by the wireless base station, the first and second sets of data, to first and second sets of subscriber stations associated with the first and second operators, at first and second wireless data rates respectively; controlling the first wireless data rate such that the first and second sets of data received via the shared backhaul link together do not substantially exceed a predetermined backhaul data rate; tracking a first rate at which the first set of data is received by the wireless base station; and billing the first operator according to the tracking.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: tracking a second rate at which the second set of data is received by the wireless base station; and billing the second operator according to the tracking.
 19. A method for effectively utilizing a shared backhaul link connected to a wireless base station servicing a plurality of operators comprising first and second operators, said method comprising: receiving, by the wireless base station, from first and second core network data sources belonging to the first and second operators, first and second sets of data respectively, via the shared backhaul link connected to the wireless base station; conveying wirelessly, by the wireless base station, first and second sets of data, to first and second sets of subscriber stations associated with the first and second operators, at first and second wireless data rates respectively; controlling the first wireless data rate such that the first and second sets of data received via the shared backhaul link together substantially do not exceed a predetermined backhaul data rate; controlling the second wireless data rate such that the first and second sets of data received via the shared backhaul link together do not substantially exceed a predetermined backhaul data rate; and increasing the first wireless data rate at the expense of the second data rate, such that the first and second sets of data received via the shared backhaul link together still do not substantially exceed the predetermined backhaul data rate.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the sets of data are packetized, and the controlling is done by the wireless base station using packet shaping techniques. 